Returning the tables
Observant bon-viveurs may have noticed that the benches are back outside the Kings Arms.
As The OxStu reported in Michaelmas Term, legislation by the city council passed in November 2003 banning drinking in the streets had forced tables to be removed from outside pubs.
Complaints by local businesses, however, have forced a change, bringing the welcome return of the benches to the iconic public house.
The benches have been in place again since 7th April, and staff at the Kings Arms told The OxStu that they were "pleased" they were back.
But unfortunately the return to the days of sitting on the steps outside the Bod with a cool pint in hand is still a long way off.
Staff at the Kings Arms were keen to stress that the change to the ban on drinking in the streets only applies when sitting on benches owned by the pub. Taking any drink onto the pavement or across the road is still banned and the offence is punishable with a £500 fine.
The legislation banning outside drinking was brought in attempt to cut down on anti-social behaviour in the city centre, but has proved unpopular with students and managers of local pubs
In November, the manager of Green, Andrew Moody complained of the council "taking a broad sweeping approach to a particular problem, and putting family dinners under the same category as drunken fights."
22nd Apr 2004