Oxfordshire: Greene King pub set to close this weekend

The Bystander pub in Wootton, which is Greene King run, is inviting guests for a farewell party on their last day of trade this Saturday.

The event promises live music from six-piece contemporary folk band The Publicans from 9pm.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire cake supplier named best in the UK

Hickory’s Smokehouse (Image: Hickory’s Smokehouse)

A Greene King spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Bystander in Wootton, near Abingdon, is due to close its doors on April 26 before reopening as a Hickory’s Smokehouse later this year.

“We have notified the team of this exciting new chapter for the venue, which is set to create a significant number of job opportunities in the local area.

“We are grateful to the local community for their support over the years and look forward to welcoming them to experience all Hickory’s has to offer soon.”

The pub will become Oxfordshire’s first branch of Hickory’s Smokehouse, a Southern-style BBQ restaurant.

Food at Hickory’s Smokehouse (Image: Hickory’s Smokehouse)

The new business is expected to create 100 new jobs.

READ MORE: 25 years of new generation Mini to be celebrated in Oxford

Hickory’s managing director John Welsh said: “We are so excited to be heading to Abingdon, it’s an area that’s been on our Wishlist for a while now, and we’re over the moon to finally be planning our first smokehouse in the town.”

Greene King recently announced that 300 of the companies’ pubs are ‘under review’, with 150 across the country at risk of immediate closure or potentially being sold.

The Telegraph estimated that 1,103 pubs closed, with new research estimating that 429 pubs have closed so far in 426.