First look inside historic Abingdon pub following revamp

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.