Cooked meals will be back on the menu at a Kidlington pub when refurbishment work is completed.

Adam Manning has taken over the running of The Kings Arms in The Moors following the retirement of Gerry and Chris McGrath.

They served customers for more than 25 years before they retired in June.

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The pub - a free house - is privately owned and has been rented to Mr Manning who started his licensed trade career at the Conway Inn in Aberdare, South Wales.

Working in the Welsh Valleys, Soho in London and then two five-year forays at the Red Lion in Kidlington gave him the experience and confidence to take on the Kings Arms.

Oxford Mail: Adam Manning at The Kings Arms

He said: "Everything is going well and the renovation work is coming along nicely.

"There used to be a split bar and lounge but we have taken the dividing wall down.

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"I'm hoping the work will be finished in about four weeks' time and once that is done we will start serving food again.

"It will be a traditional pub menu - ploughman's lunch and ham, egg and chips.

"Then we will think about offering tapas in the evening.

"It's one step at a time and we don't want to try everything all at once."

Following a visit, Dave Richardson, of Oxford CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said: "The two bars have been knocked into one brighter room, with a lick of cream paint and the rear function room being refurbished meaning a bit of a shock for regulars.

"It is open from 12 noon to 11pm every day with Wainwright’s Gold as the regular beer.

"There is one national guest, one permanent Little Ox beer (recently Ox Blood) and a local guest such as a White Horse beer."

In January, a presentation was made to Mr and Mrs McGrath at the Kings Arms by the local branch of Oxford CAMRA.

The couple received their certificate from Tony Goulding, chairman of the branch, and secretary Steve Lawrence, in recognition of more than 25 years behind the bar.

One of the regulars, Elaine Shelton, thanked Chris and Gerry for their dedication.

Oxford Mail: Chris and Gerry McGrath

She said earlier: "I have known Chris and Gerry for 35 years.

"Gerry came out of the RAF and went to run the pub over 27 years ago.

"They have both been such a big part of the community - Chris delivering freshly cooked meals for those that are housebound, both supported raising pub events for charities, Gerry taking locals to hospital appointments, the list is endless.

"They will both be so missed, but it is time for them to retire and relax.

"This is what a local pub is all about, bringing the community together, and they certainly did that."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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