ONE of Oxford’s oldest city centre pubs, which closed more than a year ago, is to reopen next month after a £225,000 refurbishment.

The St Aldate’s Tavern has been leased from its owner Merton College by the City Pub Company, which started trading in March and already runs six pubs in the South of England.

Chief executive Clive Watson said: “We want the pub to appeal to everyone, not just tourists or students.

“We shall invest about £125,000 on refitting and redecorating the pub.”

John Gloag, estates bursar at the college, which also owns the Turf Tavern, in Holywell Street, said: “We have spent about £100,000 on bringing the place up to a high structural standard.”