Pub demolished to make way for flats (From The Oxford Times)
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Pub demolished to make way for flats
7:00pm Tuesday 1st May 2012 in Oxford
By Damian Fantato, covering Summertown, Jericho and North Oxford. Call me on 01865 425429
Pub demolished to make way for flats
IT opened more than 50 years ago, boasting a smoking room and wiring for both radio and television.
But now The Cavalier pub has been razed to the ground after bulldozers moved in last week to knock the building down.
The pub, in Copse Lane, Marston, Oxford, was opened in 1956, but has been demolished to make way for student flats after standing empty for four years.
It was the first pub to open in the city after the Second World War.
Neighbours have had a mixed reaction to its decline.
Headteacher of nearby New Marston Primary School Zara d’Archambaud said: “I am pleased they are going to make better use of the space, but my main concern is the traffic problem.
“I am worried there will be increased car parking outside the school which could be problematic for the safety of our children.”
The pub closed in 2008 despite an appeal for support from the landlord, Brian Minns.
A sign was put outside the pub saying: “Pub or flats, your choice – support your local.”
Mr Minns, who is now a driving instructor, said: “The local population didn’t use it so they lost it, and that was it.
“To me it is just a building of bricks and mortar.
“I was landlord of The Cavalier for five years and I have fond memories of it. There are some nice people there, but they cannot go out every night.”
Originally, plans were drawn up by property development company I and O Ltd for a building containing 35 student study bedrooms and a shop.
But last year the firm was given planning permission to turn the building into 58 ensuite student rooms over three floors.
Oxford City Council’s planning officer Steven Roberts had said pub sales had fallen “significantly” from 2006 until the pub eventually closed.
Over the past few years the area has also lost The Bricklayers Arms and The Friar.
Comments(15)
Mark L
says...
8:51pm Tue 1 May 12
The New Realist
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8:53pm Tue 1 May 12
Milkbutnosugarplease
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9:32pm Tue 1 May 12
Whitto
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9:36pm Tue 1 May 12
EMBOX1
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10:10pm Tue 1 May 12
Mark L wrote:Angel and Greyhound on St Clements has one.
Visited quite a few times, a decent pub, it had. billiards table... don't know anywhere in Oxford with one now.
kelbun
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10:36pm Tue 1 May 12
Bart Simpsonxxx
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10:41pm Tue 1 May 12
Bart Simpsonxxx
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10:41pm Tue 1 May 12
Abingdon_born_Cowley
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1:55pm Wed 2 May 12
I don't think the closure of pubs has anything to do with the ban. Which I think is an excellent thing!
sparky123456
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2:57pm Wed 2 May 12
Ab Boy
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4:45pm Wed 2 May 12
Also its is surely the Brewery charging stupid money to landlords and managers in pubs making their beer prices to high!!!
Northway club is very close to the pub and is doing really well because they charge a fraction of the price.
Mind you I had some fantastic times many many years ago in the pub and the Disco (yes Disco) on Sundays nights was amazing!!!!
Christine Hovis
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9:33pm Wed 2 May 12
But the government needs to stop harming them through unthought through measures (such as tax rises) and some measures to stop the pub companies treating their business as a short-term money making venture.
LORD PETER MACVEY 0X2 6EG
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10:34pm Fri 4 May 12
Abingdon_born_Cowley wrote:Read the story the pub closed a year AFTER the ban. The ban is the single most reason for pub closures, although breweries like to blame it on Supermarkets. If I am going to spend my money I want to enjoy it, and not be forced to leave my seat like some pariah everytime I want a fag. The non-smoking nutters that said the same before the ban, and that they would fill our pubs have been shown to be the narrow minded bigoted liars that they are. A great british institution has now been destroyed, never to come back, with the loss of thousands of jobs because of people like you. Are you proud?
Smoking Ban? I think this pub closed before that.
I don't think the closure of pubs has anything to do with the ban. Which I think is an excellent thing!
profgeof2000
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11:54am Sat 5 May 12
oxchris says...
8:11pm Tue 1 May 12