Red Lion closes its doors
By Michael Hegarty
Oxford’s drinkers were dealt a blow last week when The Red Lion closed its doors for the last time before it is turned into a restaurant.
The pub’s owners, Premium Country Dining Group, made the decision to replace it with a business “very much aimed at diners”.
Current manager Richard Heap told the Oxford Mail: “The new owners think a change in direction to a more food-led operation is what the business needs.”
“I think it will do well in Oxford”, he continued. “The place will be more of an eating house than a restaurant.”
The building The Red Lion occupies dates back to the early 20th century, during which it has undergone many changes of name.
Anon
24/01/2011 at 07:30
I am an employee of the Red Lion I wish to remain anonymous. The Red Lion did close its doors on the 8th of January. The company M & B who own The Red Lion have treated the staff unfairly during this period. On the 13th of December staff were called to a meeting.
At this meeting staff were told the pub would close for several weeks. Staff would be transferred to other M and B Pubs during this period, paid lay off pay and restart their Jobs in the newly reopened Red Lion in due course. Staff would be given details in writing within five days of the 13th of December. A second make shift meeting was called on the 4th of January. Management turned up 1.5 hours late only after a complaint was made to H.R. Staff received notice in writing up to a week after the pub had closed stating that the pub would close on the 8th of January. No staff were transferred, managers who promised transfers were unavailable. T
he majority of staff have had to claim benefits, resign after finding another job or raise a grievance procedure in order to receive pay that is owed. Staff have been told to attend training at a sister restaurant called The Trout for Ten days. Management from PCDG and M and B have told staff that staff would have to cover their own cost for transport. After a month of no pay most staff can not afford the transport to the suggested location. Staff have also their holiday pay reduced from full time to part time with many full timers showing no holiday time or pay left and no managers or payroll persons available to help. I would like to add that Mr Heap was as supportive as he could be.
The intent of PCDG is to turn The Red Lion into a restaurant to compete with Jamies and Fire and Stone in the city centre of Oxford. A recruitment day for The Red Lion restaurant is being held at O’neils Bar and Grill on the 27th of January for new staff.
Anon
01/03/2011 at 13:37
What a shame the Red Lion is changing into a retaurant. A lot of people will miss it. I will. Cheap drink also. They wont get very far in changing it into a restaurant. It has always been a pub. I hope it changes back into a pub.