WHEN the King’s Arms pub in Kidlington was put up for sale locals feared it would become another casualty of the recession.

But villager and pub regular John Salter, best known as managing director of Oxford-based boat business Salter’s Steamers, stepped in and bought the historic watering hole.

He was concerned the sale of the pub in The Moors by pub company Punch Taverns could lead to its closure.

As well as buying the pub, he is retaining tenants Gerry McGrath and wife Christine, who have been working at the King’s Arms for about 15 years.

Mr Salter, who lives in the village with his wife Linda, said: “I discovered that Punch Taverns was selling the pub and locals were concerned for the pub’s future.

“I and and my family have lived near the pub for about 47 years and I also shared their concerns. I felt I had no alternative but to step in and buy it.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen to the pub and we wanted it to stay as it is.”

Landlord and father-of-two Mr McGrath, 47, said: “We were really chuffed when Mr Salter bought the pub.

“He’s local and has been a regular over the years so he knows what we’re trying to do here.

“Our customers were worried the pub would be sold to a developer and there is always the possibility it could be demolished with the land used for housing.

“The pub is about 200 years old and is part of Kidlington’s history so it would have been a great shame if it had closed.

“We have lots of loyal customers and we are particularly busy on Friday night, Saturday lunchtime and on Sunday.

“It’s a bit like a farmers’ market in here on a Sunday and people bring in their pheasants and partridges to sell.”

Mr Salter would not reveal how much he paid for the King’s Arms.

The pub features in next year’s Good Beer Guide and sells Brakspear beer, Wychwood Hobgoblin and guest beers.

The pub will be relaunched on Friday, December 2, from 8pm.