Countdown begins to a cosy pint inside your local pub in Oxford

While about two-thirds of pubs in the city reopened on April 12, when pubs and restaurants were permitted to reopen outside, some hostelries were unable to reopen as they lack outdoor seating.

These included The Royal Blenheim, The St Aldate’s Tavern, The Castle Inn, The Fir Tree and Half Moon.

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Pubs that do have outdoor space have been busy over the past few weeks and are also looking forward to welcoming drinkers back inside from Monday.

Drinkers outside The Harcourt Arms in Jericho Picture: Ian Stuart

Ian Stuart, who runs The Harcourt Arms in Cranham Terrace, said: “We have a courtyard garden so it’s been very busy, even on rainy nights when people drink under our umbrellas.

“We are looking forward to opening inside again - we are very much a traditional pub - it’s a meeting place for a beer and a chat with friends. I want to see locals sitting in front of the fire again.”

Ian Stuart, landlord of The Harcourt Arms Picture: Pip Art

Dave Richardson, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA, said landlords would welcome Monday’s lockdown easing and added they were looking forward to the planned lifting of all restrictions from June 21 as the key date.

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He added: “Only then will pubs have a chance of trading profitably after 15 months of total closure and ever-changing restrictions, which will also help the many breweries who rely on them.

“From Monday pubs will still face major reductions in their capacity, and will still have to provide table service only, which prevents people from socialising.

Inside The Harcourt Arms

“This puts off many customers, but we have been impressed how well people have supported pubs since they opened outdoors a month ago despite very variable weather.

“About two-thirds of pubs in and around Oxford have already re-opened - far more than the 40% national average - but a few may remain closed and some might never reopen.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the challenges pubs still face, and CAMRA calls on the Government to offer ongoing support and in particular to cut the very high rate of duty on beer sold in pubs, which gives supermarkets and corner shops such an unfair advantage.”

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Mr Richardson said earlier some pubs have been very creative with their outside space, examples including The White House on Abingdon Road, now run by Tap Social, which has erected a marquee over part of the former car park and decked out the tables and seats in bright colours.

The White Hart in Wytham, a dining pub owned by Wadworth, has erected a plastic shelter high above table level and created individual dining pods, meaning a big increase in capacity once indoor service resumes.

The Harcourt Arms garden at night

The Bear Inn, one of the smallest pubs in the city centre, has seating outside for 95.

Mr Richardson added: “Some pubs which I never knew had gardens have really burst into life. The Star in Rectory Road, east Oxford, is one example - it must have outdoor space for about 100.”