Oak Taverns bought The Red Lion in Yarnton from Admiral Taverns in 2023, after a community buyout scheme failed to raise sufficient funds.

Thame-based pub company Oak Taverns owns a number of other pubs across Oxfordshire including The Crown in Marcham and The Cross Keys in Wallingford.

READ MORE: Village pub closed following fire

The Red Lion in Cassington Road is the Oxford Mail Pub of the Week.

Landlady Jess Dixon said it is now vital for pubs functioning as community hubs to welcome families with young children, as well as older regulars.

She told the Oxford Drinker, the magazine run by the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale): “Considering children under 14 were prohibited from entering public houses prior to 1995, and pubs only being allowed to make their own policies from 2003 due to changes in the licensing act, it’s not really surprising that children in pub environments can be a bit of a divisive topic.

The Red Lion in Yarnton (Image: Oxford Drinker)

“Being a village pub means: families, and lots of them! It can be quite entertaining at times when you’ve got small children demanding a straw with their apple juice, paired with older gents just trying to get a relaxing pint in across the bar.

“Acting as a community hub with such a wide range of ages is good fun whilst simultaneously feeling like solving a public relations-themed Rubik’s cube. How can we create a welcoming environment for all, that also fits the vibe we want to create?

“Some opt for high chairs on demand and play sets in the garden, others opt for Fruit Shoots and a game of Jenga (all very low noise activities of course).”

Ms Dixon said live music being staged at the pub was a good way of uniting the community – including a band playing at its annual beer festival next month.

The Red Lion in Yarnton (Image: The Red Lion)

She added: “One thing I’ve found always works to maintain the family melting pot status quo is a good old event in the garden, with some live music and a few garden games.

“We’re really lucky to have a Yarnton village band full of people of all ages that kick off our annual May beer festival, and really sets the tone for the day.

“I know not every pub may be fit for a family-friendly lifestyle, but if it is, there’s nothing quite like watching people of all ages enjoy a sunny pub garden with a fresh pint or J2O in hand.”

Oak Taverns also runs The Rose & Crown in Charlbury, The Swan in Faringdon, The Red Lion in Chinnor, and The Angel in Bicester.

The improvements aim to modernise the unit, which provides rapid assessment, diagnosis, and treatment as an alternative to acute hospital admission.

This helps to reduce pressure on busy A&E departments.

The unit is temporarily operating from a different ward within the Abingdon site but continues to function as normal.

A hospital spokesperson said: “The refurbishment work will modernise the unit, creating a welcoming and accessible environment for patients and staff.”

Abingdon Community Hospital offers various services, including rehabilitation and palliative care.

It also supports patients with a Minor Injuries Unit, an Oxfordshire Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, and a range of outpatient services such as rheumatology, cardiology, and paediatric orthopaedics.

The hospital is staffed by a dedicated team of nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists and is supported by gerontologists, who specialise in elderly care.

The refurbishment work was announced on April 12.

Cherwell District Council has expanded its monthly tenancy relations sessions to help tenants with housing issues.

The sessions are part of the council’s efforts to embed the requirements of the Renters’ Rights Act in the private rental market.

Kristian Aspinall, Executive Director Neighbourhood Services, said: “North Oxfordshire renters deserve safe, comfortable and well-managed homes.

“Our team is doing more to reach out to anyone who has concerns about their landlord, tenancy agreement or the standard of their accommodation.

“With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force from 1 May, we are being proactive in making sure that landlords and renters understand, and benefit from, these welcome changes to renting.”

The sessions will be available at locations including Britannia Road Children’s Centre and Castle Quay in Banbury, Bicester Library, and WISH in Kidlington.

The next drop-in will take place on Friday, April 17 at Bicester Library.

Under the new act, private renters are set to gain stronger protections through the end of ‘no-fault’ evictions and the introduction of fairer rent rules.

The drop-in sessions are open to both tenants and landlords seeking advice.

Mr Aspinall said: “We have a friendly and very knowledgeable housing team, and we are delighted to be able to bring this drop-in service to more locations around the district.”