A third coronavirus lockdown proved one too many for historic Oxford pub the Lamb & Flag in St Giles and it is to close on January 31.

Owner St John's College has said it is open to negotiations, and has not ruled out the pub being taken over.

The Oxford branch of CAMRA has said it is already aware of one expression of interest and believes there will be others.

Read again: Historic Lamb & Flag pub is to close

The Lamb & Flag may not be the last well-known pub in the city to close as a result of the pandemic.

Here we look back at some of the hostelries Oxford has lost in recent years.

Far From the Madding Crowd was a popular city centre pub in Friars Entry before it closed in 2015 while The Quarry Gate pub in Headington was shut in 2010.

Oxford Mail: Far From the Madding Crowd in Friars EntryFar From the Madding Crowd in Friars Entry

There have also been some success stories pre-lockdown.

In 2019 two city highlights for beer drinkers were The Grapes in George Street and The Holly Bush on Osney Island.

Both reopened following major revamps.

West Berkshire Brewery bought the lease of the George Street hostelry from The City Pub Company.

Oxford Mail: Inside The Grapes in George Street which was refurbished in 2018Inside The Grapes in George Street which was refurbished in 2018

The changes to the interior were not too radical as the pub’s vintage look was restored in 2017.

Read more: The lost pubs of Oxford

The pub, popular with theatre goers, dates back to the 1820s, and West Berkshire Brewery has promised a ‘sympathetic refurb’.

The company said at the time: “We are extremely pleased to announce that we have taken on The Grapes pub in Oxford’s George Street.

“There will be seven hand pulls and 12 keg taps plus a wide selection of bottles and cans from the local area and beyond will remain the focus of The Grapes, with simple, seasonal food to compliment the real ale and craft beer on offer."

And The Holly Bush proved a success after reopening in 2019 on Osney Island after it had remained shut for a number of years.

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The 167-year-old pub - now with a striking dark blue exterior - has been shut since 2013 and was relaunched by Bedfordshire-based Wells & Co.

Oxford Mail: Staff at the bar at The Holly Bush Staff at the bar at The Holly Bush

The pub was often full before the coronavirus struck and landlords prepared food parcels for locals to collect during the first lockdown in 2020.