More Oxford pubs could close following 'truly horrific' pandemic year

In January, St John’s College announced that the Lamb & Flag in St Giles would close due to poor trading conditions caused by repeated lockdowns.

The city’s branch of real ale group CAMRA has said it will oppose any planning application for a change of use for the building.

Read again: Historic Lamb & Flag in St Giles is to close

Dave Richardson, spokesman for Oxford CAMRA, warned it was likely the Lamb & Flag would not be the last historic pub in Oxford to close.

Dave Richardson of CAMRA outside the Lamb & Flag Picture by Ed Nix

He added: “The last year has been truly horrific for pubs, and by the time partial re-opening is allowed on April 12 they will have been totally closed for more than half of the previous 12 months and operating under restrictions that have limited their capacity and increased their costs during periods when they could trade.

“While we look to the Government to provide ongoing help in this week’s budget, we also appeal to people generally to start visiting pubs again as soon as they can, whatever restrictions might be in place.

“You can ‘cry wolf’ once too often in warning that many pubs could close for good, but without public and Government support that is looking more and more likely.”

Mr Richardson said small, independent businesses could be the most vulnerable as they did not have the resources of the breweries or big pub companies to weather the storm.

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He added: “Whether it’s a totally private business or a private business operating a pub that’s owned by one of the big companies, they really need us to use them or we could lose them. It’s a remarkable fact that most of the pubs that have offered takeaway or delivery during lockdown have been private businesses, while the big companies were content to close the doors, take advantage of the financial help offered and sit it out.

The Lamb & Flag in St Giles

“Their reward should be the loyalty of more customers who have come to appreciate them during lockdown.”

Mr Richardson said drinkers could act now to support their favourite pubs.

He said: “We don’t even have to wait for reopening outdoors on April 12 – followed by reopening indoors from May 17 if virus data remains favourable – to support independent pubs.

“Check out who is offering takeaway meals (takeaway alcohol is currently banned) or food and drink to deliver, and also check out local breweries, most of whom now deliver.”

The future of small local breweries is also a concern despite the success of deliveries, as they have not been able to take advantage of some of the financial help given to pubs.

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They weren’t actually forced to close, unlike pubs, but a large part of their market has dried up.

Dave Richardson left and CAMRA members in the Lamb & Flag

The pubs industry estimates that 60% of all pubs will remain closed if they can only open outdoors, according to CAMRA, as although they may have outside space, it’s not enough to justify opening.

Mr Richardson added: “We look to local councils to make it as easy as possible to trade outdoors, not only during the first month of re-opening but also throughout the summer, as this is how many people feel most safe.

“Oxford City Council has pledged to again make pavement space available when feasible, with North Parade Avenue in North Oxford being added to the list of roads to be closed temporarily to allow pubs, restaurants and cafes to serve outdoors. Let’s hope other district councils do the same.

“The pubs that have suffered worst during the pandemic are those that either serve little food or none at all, and those that are too small to practise social distancing as well as they would like.

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“Pubs concentrating more on drinks rather than food were unable to open at all during the second lockdown, and couldn’t take advantage of Eat Out to Help Out.”

Mr Richardson called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the furlough scheme and business rates holiday, to continue the cut in VAT and extend it to alcohol, and to cut the high rate of beer duty.

Dave Richardson of CAMRA outside the Lamb & Flag Picture by Ed Nix

He said pubs have done all they can to welcome back drinkers safely and people needed to use them or risk losing them.

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