Contractors have been working at The White Horse on the corner of Spring Road and Ock Street, and the pub reopened on Thursday.

The Greene King pub shut on April 4 so that work could get under way.

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Sean and Kitty Devey, the new managers and their staff team, were rushed off their feet at the weekend.

With the sun coming out on Saturday afternoon, the pub was packed in the garden and busy inside with drinkers watching rugby and football on the big screens.

Kitty said: “It’s been really busy since we opened and we’re glad to see so many customers.

“People have told us they like the pub’s new look.”

Inside The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

New seating and a fresh new blue and yellow colour scheme have been added inside.

Other improvements include a ‘face-lift’ for the toilets, a new darts and bar area, and a redesign for the beer garden – including a new TV screen to show sports.

Greene King had been advertising for a new team to take over the management of the pub.

A view of the pub garden at The White Horse (Image: Andy Ffrench)

It said in an advert at the end of last year: “Pub managers of Oxfordshire, looking to run your own show?

“The White Horse, Abingdon is becoming a Hive franchise pub.

“We’re looking for someone to front the business, who is community minded, passionate about great hospitality and who can keep the guests coming back for more.

“A Hive Pub franchise offers you: the chance to be your own boss, and lower operational costs than a tenancy model.

Inside The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

“As a franchisee, Greene King will offer you: a comprehensive induction programme, a fully refurbished pub, that’s ready to trade, we’ll even cover most of the operational costs.”

The White Horse is believed to date back to 1845.

In 1999, Greene King became the new owners and extended the Grade II listed building to provide dining areas.

Oxford’s Campaign for Real Ale branch named its best pub of this year as The Crafty Pint Bar in Langdale Court, Witney, which describes itself as a ‘fiercely independent’ craft beer bar.

The Oxford Branch of CAMRA, which covers the whole of Oxfordshire, said picking an overall winner for the coveted title of best of the year was ‘next to impossible’ with the top three narrowed down to The Crafty Pint, The Brewery Tap in Abingdon and The Red Lion in Yarnton.

The Crafty Pint Bar in Witney was named Oxford CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2026 (Image: Melanie Cassidy)

With 85 people voting, which ‘may be the largest number ever’, according to the organisation, The Crafty Pint Bar came out on top.

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Melanie Cassidy, landlady of the craft beer bar, said: “It was so lovely to see everyone come out and support The Crafty Pint Bar as we received this monumental award, voted by CAMRA members.

Melanie Cassidy receiving the Pub of the Year certificate from an Oxford CAMRA representative (Image: Melanie Cassidy)

“So many friendly faces came to see us and it humbled me to think this space means so much to everyone not just me.

“The beers are one thing and I’m proud of the ever changing selection we offer, but it’s the people, the community, the way everyone welcomes everyone and how new friendships are forged that makes The Crafty Pint Bar what it is.”

Oxford’s CAMRA added that ‘every candidate was someone’s pub of the year’ as each of the venues nominated won votes from members, and commended the ‘excellent’ quality of the contest.

Paul Westcott, of Coxwell Road, Faringdon, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, May 11.

The 56-year-old had initially been due to stand trial, but entered four guilty pleas.

He pleaded guilty to stealing three Mercedes cars and £42,000 from the Hrycko family between October and December 2019.

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Oxford Crown Court (Image: Oxford Mail)

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation to Michael Hrycko relating to a Mercedes C220d, Range Rover and a Mercedes A180.

The court heard Westcott had a previous conviction of a similar nature from 2012.

A pre-sentence report was ordered ahead of the sentencing hearing set for July 7.

Judge Maria Lamb told the defendant to put his affairs in order as his sentence will be one of immediate custody.