A FORMER Butlins Redcoat is returning to Oxfordshire to run the pub he lived in as a child.

James Lay has teamed up with his father, Paul, to reopen the Lamb & Flag at Longworth, near Abingdon, after it shut earlier this year.

The Lays ran the pub for five years, moving in when James was two.

Mr Lay, who has spent the past 12 years travelling the world as a cruise director, said he and his father – who also runs The Bell in Wantage – jumped at the chance to return to their former establishment.

The 32-year-old, who also worked as an entertainer at Butlins in Bognor Regis, said: “I did 12 years at sea and that was just incredible, and I could’ve gone on until I was old and grey, but I’ve got this chance to come home and choose a life.

“My dad came up with the idea and I thought it was a great thing to do.

“I’m originally from Oxfordshire and my family ran this place 25 years ago when we were serving 200 covers on a Saturday night.

“Since then it’s had a chequered history and it was absolutely filthy when we got it. It was so sad to see it in that state.”

The Lays plan to run the Lamb & Flag, which they have leased from Greene King, as a gastro pub with traditional dishes alongside Thai cuisine. They also promise to serve local cask ales and offer a takeaway service.

Mr Lay said: “We’ve got an 80-seat restaurant.

“We’ve been here over the last four weeks and the love for the place is great. The locals can’t wait to have it back up and running.

“We want to offer good value for money and make it a place that people can come to weekly or twice a month.

“I would rather have the restaurant full and make less profit per table than increase the price and have four diners come in.”

He added: “It’s about bringing those old-fashioned landlord values back.

“The Lamb & Flag used to be run by ‘Dirty Dudley’, who was a famous local landlord.

“Everyone knew who he was and we want that to return, so you get to know the people behind the bar and the people serving in the restaurant.”

The pub opens on November 17.

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