A PUB in East Oxford has a new image following major refurbishment.

The Oxford Blue, in Marston Road, was taken over by new owners last year and reopened shortly before Christmas.

They are now organising monthly jazz sessions to reach out to music lovers across the city.

Co-owner Chris Murray, 31, said: “We spent about two months renovating the pub, extending the kitchen and things like that.

“It’s going really well. The feel of the pub hasn’t changed so I think people have welcomed it.”

Mr Murray previously owned the Bottega wine bar on the corner of Walton Street and Little Clarendon Street.

But he and other businesses were forced to close in September to make way for redevelopment involving student rooms and new shops.

Mr Murray said: “I do miss Jericho, and it’s been a bit of a change moving from a wine bar to a proper pub offering food.

“But I used to live in East Oxford and I love this part of Oxford.

“It would be great to move back into Jericho eventually, but we are definitely making a go of it here.”

Mr Murray and co-owner Mark Bradbury are now launching monthly jazz nights, starting tonight at 8.30pm with Nick Gill from Oxford Classic Jazz.

Mr Murray said: “Mark was in Oxford, saw Nick busking in Cornmarket and thought that would be a great addition to the pub. The performance is eccentric, but great to watch.

“Our hope now is that we could have a different jazz performer each month and it could become a real staple.”

Entrance to the event is free.