The Branch continues to keep a very good awareness of what is happening to our pubs, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of Bob Smith as our Pubs Data Coordinator.

On a very positive note, it is pleasing to record that none of our 130 or so pubs have yet closed permanently as a result of the Covid lockdowns. Only 3 have failed to re-open at all, but two of those will be reopening soon under new owners/leaseholders (Crown, Pishill and Mulberry, Didcot). Only the Greene King pub, the Bell, Crowmarsh has failed to reopen at all and the prospects for this one do appear somewhat bleak. We are also pleased to have one recent gain as a pub, with the Keep, Wallingford, re-converting back to a micropub from being temporarily an off-licence only. Additionally, several other long-term closed pubs look set for re-opening under new ownership in 2022 – so we are actually set for an overall gain in the number of pubs in South Oxfordshire by this time next year!

Overall, the quality of the beer offering in several of our pubs has improved markedly over the last two years, with a number now being operated by small independent pub companies or individuals, where good quality cask ale is a key feature of their offering. An example of this recently is the Greyhound, Whitchurch on Thames which has been bought by Oak Taverns from Punch Taverns, to be operated as a wet-led pub.

All the breweries in the Branch area (bar Bell St. in Henley) are continuing to operate.