THE BREWERY which owns East Oxford's James Street Tavern has confirmed the pub is now under new management.

A Greene King spokesman said the previous landlord left on December 3 and, following a week closure, is due to reopen today run by the team behind the Old Bookbinders in Jericho.

They added the brewery planned to make a 'significant investment' in the pub next year.

It follows concerns the James Street pub was closing permanently due to 'sporadic' opening hours in recent weeks.

East Oxford business owners and residents had reported seeing the pub sometimes remaining shut long beyond its normal 4pm start, often failing to open at all.

At the time a spokeswoman for Greene King dismissed concerns, saying: "I can confirm the pub isn’t closed or closing."