ONE of the few remaining pubs in West Oxford has been put up for sale, sparking concerns about its future.

The Holly Bush in Bridge Street, Osney Island, is currently owned by Greene King but the Suffolk-based brewery has decided to sell the pub off along with its contents.

Estate agent Fleurets is marketing it as a development opportunity but Greene King says it is being sold as a pub – which is also a bed and breakfast – with its licence.

City councillor Susanna Pressel, who represents Jericho and Osney, said it was “dreadful news” that the pub may close.

She said: “I hope that someone will take it over and run it as a successful pub.

“It’s great to have places where people can meet and socialise. I used to pop in to The Holly Bush to find out all the latest gossip.

“We have also held residents’ association meetings and they have helped with the fun day and the litter picks.”

South Street resident Stephen Lynam said: “I would like to see it stay as a pub. Because of where The Holly Bush is a lot of its clientele are from the island.

“Most of the islanders tend to go to The Punter but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t provide a valuable service.”

If The Holly Bush closes it would leave only two pubs in the whole of West Oxford – The Kite in Mill Street and The Punter, which is also on Osney Island.

The Osney Arms in Botley Road has been closed since November 2011 because of a lack of custom. It was sold at auction last year.

Greene King sold The George Inn further down Botley Road in May 2011 and hi-fi retailer Richer Sounds has opened a store there.

Once there were seven pubs in the area including The Carpenters Arms, now the McDonalds, and The White House, now a Chinese restaurant.

Pubs across Oxfordshire have been hit by the rising price of beer with around 50 closing in five years across the county and 20 in the city.

Simon Longbottom, managing director for Greene King Pub Partners, said: “After an extensive review, we have made the difficult decision that The Holly Bush no longer fits in with our core estate and we have put it on the market, as a freehold pub with the licence included.

“The pub is currently open and trading as usual.”

When asked Greene King why the pub didn’t fit in with its core estate and what its turnover is. The firm said this was commercially confidential.

No price has been placed on the pub. It is being sold subject to offers.

  • There has been a pub on the site since 1842 when it was called the Bush and Railway.
  • The pub was renamed The Holly Bush in 1897 and rebuilt in 1935.
  • It was named after an inn which stood on the site of what is now the Royal Oxford Hotel in the 16th century.
  • Hollybush Row, which leads to Oxpens Road, is named after the inn. It was renamed The Holly Bush in 2002, after becoming Walter Mitty’s for several years.