Real ale campaigners have welcomed a decision from city councillors to refuse planning permission to build on the site of the derelict Crown & Thistle in Headington.
The pub was closed by Greene King in 2011 and has since been sold to a developer.
In September, councillors refused plans to turn the derelict pub into flats.
READ AGAIN: Council spent 73k from budget fixing LTNs
Dave Richardson, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said: “While this may never reopen as a pub, it indicates to developers that they have a fight on their hands if they assume they can convert a former pub.
“Councillors were concerned that granting planning permission would set “a dangerous precedent” for other pubs, pointing out that successive owners had allowed the Crown & Thistle to become dilapidated. Planning officers thought it was “a significant oversight” that the applicant had not tried to market the property as a freehold pub.”
Mr Richardson added: “We’re pleased the city council is getting tough with developers on closed pub sites.
“It refused permission for the Holly Bush off Botley Road to be converted, and after several years of closure it’s now a thriving pub again.”
Difficult trading conditions, the looming energy crisis and consumer spending crunch are causing more pubs to call it a day.
The Talbot, by Swinford toll bridge on the outskirts of Eynsham, closed in September and remains closed while owner Arkell’s seeks a new tenant.
The landlords who took over the pub in May last year said they were giving up the lease due ‘economic uncertainty’.
READ AGAIN: When police at Carfax controlled the cyclists
They added: “It’s with sadness that we made the decision due to economic uncertainty, staffing issues and the overall toll it was taking on our lives to give our notice on The Talbot a few months ago.
“It’s been an incredible journey in so many ways and we’re incredibly proud of everything with achieved after exiting lockdowns and reopening The Talbot.”
Mr Richardson said: “I hope The Talbot does reopen at some point but trading conditions are difficult at the moment.”
And the tenants of Greene King house the Waggon and Horses in Southmoor have announced that they expect to close in the New Year as the business had become unviable.
However, the Catherine Wheel at Sandford-on-Thames, which is privately owned, had reopened, with Sharp’s Doom Bar and Fuller’s London Pride on the bar.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here