Oxford News
Brewpub owners gets positive feedback after delayed opening
Scarlet River Brewing Company was set up by former Tap Social head brewer Jason Bolger and his partner Niki Sibson, a scientist and medical researcher.
The new pub, Scarlet River, next to Marks & Spencer in Marriotts Walk shopping centre, had been due to open in January but the 10-year lease was only signed in February following delays with construction.
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The brewpub finally opened its doors to customers last month. It’s the Oxford Mail Pub of the Week.
Seating up to 50 inside and 30 outside, the brewery, taproom and café occupies a unit in the shopping centre that has not been used since the complex opened in 2009.
Although its output will be mainly craft beer served directly from tanks, the pub will have one hand pump which Mr Bolger describes as “cask style”.
His interest in “cask style” brews continues with Old Curmudgeon Bitter, a tasty 3.8% beer.
The first brews available are otherwise craft keg with IPAs, lagers, a stout, a wheat beer and a Belgian pale.
Purbeck Cider is available from Dorset, and a Scarlet River-branded gin and spiced rum are supplied by Abingdon Distillery. Wines and soft drinks are also available.
All brewing takes place on the premises in the 500-litre kit behind the bar.
This is the first time commercial brewing has taken place in Witney since Wychwood brewery closed in 2023.
“We have had some very positive feedback, and have been full at times with 60-65 people seated inside and outside,” Mr Bolger told CAMRA’s Oxford Drinker magazine.
“We are seeing all kinds of customers from youngsters to seasoned ale drinkers.
“This is a dream come true, and we’re just keeping our heads above water at present. But we will serve food in due course, and are looking to recruit ex-services people in senior positions.”
Scarlet River hopes to work with former Army and Air Force personnel who sometimes find it challenging to move into civilian life, whereas Tap Social brewery in Oxford works with ex-offenders.
At the moment, the opening hours are: closed on Mondays, open from 10.30am-5pm on Tuesdays, 10.30am-10pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10.30am-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am-6pm on Sundays.
The long-term aim is to move to an all-day café-bar operation.
Large-sale commercial brewing in Witney started in the 1830s when Clinch’s brewery was formed, with the former Glenny brewery becoming Wychwood in 1989.
Mr Bolger said earlier: “Niki and I are extremely excited to be bringing brewing back to Witney, as it does have a long history of breweries serving local communities.
“We hope to continue this and welcome everyone very soon.”
The couple’s children are called Scarlet and River – the inspiration for the brewpub’s name.
The annual Varsity March, which covers 82 miles (132km) from Oxford to Cambridge, raises funds for The Gatehouse, an Oxford-based charity supporting people experiencing homelessness, as well as Jimmy’s in Cambridge.
This year’s walk began at the University Church in Oxford. Four walkers took part, including event organiser Stephanie and Dylan – a stuffed sheep mascot.
Stephanie, a member of the Cambridge University Rambling Club, was the only participant to complete the full distance, reaching St Mary’s Church in Cambridge after 36 hours of walking.
She said: “We all love walking and a challenge, which really sums up the Varsity March. Walking over 130 kilometres is a stretch even for experienced walkers.
“The added bonus is raising funds for two very important local charities which are doing a great job supporting homeless people in Oxford and Cambridge.”
The three other walkers also covered more than 100 miles combined. However, the final 30 miles fell to Stephanie alone. This marks her 20th Varsity March finish, though Dylan the sheep, who has completed 22, still holds the record.
The walkers’ determination has raised vital funds for The Gatehouse. The charity operates a drop-in community centre in central Oxford offering free services to homeless and vulnerably housed adults.
David Kay, fundraising manager at The Gatehouse, said: “Every year I’m impressed by the efforts of these individuals, and I’m still amazed that anybody manages to walk the whole distance.
“At the Gatehouse we’re extremely grateful for the funds that they raise to help cover the costs of the services we provide free of charge to our homeless guests. Costs have risen massively over recent years as we’ve increased both staff capacity and our range of services to meet growing demand.
“This year we need to raise over half a million pounds, a large proportion of which comes from individuals and organisations in the local community donating money and raising funds for us.”
The Gatehouse’s services include a café, a clothes store, shower provision, and bespoke individual casework and counselling support.
Supporters are encouraged to donate in recognition of the walkers’ efforts.
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/varsitymarch2026-gatehouse.
Posh Spice and David Beckham have submitted plans to build a new oak balcony at Maplewood Barn, in the 44th application they’ve made since renaming the home they bought a decade ago.
In that time David and Victoria Beckham have been embroiled in numerous rows with neighbours and accused of ‘drip-feeding’ development there.
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And the latest scheme has raised accusations of ‘hypocrisy’ after they had previously accused a neighbour wanting a balcony at their London home of spoiling their privacy.
Documents submitted on behalf of the Beckhams said the latest scheme involved replacing the “Crittall-style screen and doors” and installing an “oak balcony to the western elevation.”
They wrote: “The proposed replacement Crittall-style screen and doors, together with the new oak-framed balcony to the west elevation, have been carefully designed to consider the character and significance of Maplewood Barn and its listed setting.
“The works are to the modern west range constructed as part of the approved barn conversion and will not result in the loss of, or harm to, any historic fabric associated with the original Grade II listed buildings.
“The replacement glazing will match the existing design, proportions, and colour, ensuring visual continuity with the existing barns, while the oak balcony introduces a simple and sympathetic addition that reflects existing timber detailing within the development.
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“Given the small scale of the proposals, and their location within a later addition to the dwelling, it is considered that the works preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed buildings and their setting.”
No public comments have so far been submitted but it comes six years after the Beckhams fought a furious planning battle with neighbours at their Holland Park home in London over renovation plans – including their desire for a balcony.
In 2020 they eventually lost the battle to stop the neighbour drastically updating a posh property close to their £31million townhouse.
The celebrity couple had expressed concerns that the neighbour’s architect was creating a whole new patio area including a balcony on the first floor, which may have overlooked their back garden.
Amended plans were approved when a council officer’s report dismissed any privacy fears.
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At the time they stated: “There are no concerns with the impact of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers in terms of light, sense of enclosure, noise or privacy.”
The couple have also been involved in multiple rows over work at their Grade-II listed country house at Maplewood Barn, near Great Tew in Oxfordshire
Since buying the three listed barns for £6,150,000 in 2016, they have added a new driveway and gates, an additional garage outbuilding, tennis court, treehouse, security hut, extension to the garage outbuilding and a landscaped pond.
This Oxford Mail archive gallery of pictures show shots mostly taken by staff photographer Jon Lewis in the summer of 2006.
From the city to the towns and villages of the county, this collection shows a range of summer fun from two decades ago.
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End-of-term school events feature in this collection, with school plays and sports days both featured.
Pictures of friendly World Cup rivalry between opposing team’s fans show not much has changed in some respects over the past 20 years.
Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to be transported back to June 2006.
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