A couple who have been running a pub in Kidlington for over 25 years have been praised for their loyal service

A presentation was made to the landlord and landlady of the Kings Arms pub at The Moors, Kidlington by the local branch of Oxford CAMRA.

Gerry and Chris McGrath received their certificate earlier this month from Tony Goulding, chairman of the branch, and  secretary Steve Lawrence in recognition of over 25 years behind the bar.

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The presentation couldn't take place on the actual anniversary date due to previous Covid restrictions during the pandemic.

CAMRA said Mr and Mrs McGrath have been a pillar of the local community and in particular Chris who has provided home cooked, locally sourced food and wholesome meals for customers and local care establishments during their residency at 4 The Moors.

Graham Wareham, a regular at the pub, said: "Gerry and Chris are planning to retire in June but the Kings Arms, a local's free house, will continue to thrive through the support of the multitude of locals who come in, sometimes while supposedly walking their dogs to sample the good range of real ale, malt whisky and fine wines.

Oxford Mail:

"Freshly cooked food to order is available lunchtimes Tuesdays to Sundays and this old 'tollhouse' deserves to survive just for the ambience and haven it provides for the people of Kidlington as it is one of the original pubs.

"There is always a copy of the Oxford Mail to read! May this important hostelry carry on for many years."

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The presentation came as positive news following a number of pub closures in the area due to the cost of living crisis.

These included the Blacks Head Inn at Bletchingdon and the Red Lion at Yarnton.

Barney Tharby, landlord at the Blacks Head Inn, said he was forced to close due to rising costs.

He told the Oxford Mail earlier: "Our utility bills doubled, and in October we noticed a 35 per cent drop in revenue, because some customers could no longer afford to keep coming in - they had no money left for beer, and we had to make the decision that the business for us was no longer viable."

The Red Lion in Yarnton, owned by Admiral Taverns, shut in August after the number of customers fell by half.

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Landlady Kerry Osborne, who had been running the pub for six years, said the cost of living was a factor in her decision to leave.

Admiral Taverns is now seeking to hire a new landlord.

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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