Popular music bar in Witney closes after planning dispute

6 Aug 2023

Drummer's Bar, the inaugural micro-pub in Witney, has unexpectedly closed its doors.

Regular patrons of Langdale Court were taken aback by the unexpected closure of the popular bar and music establishment.

However, Simon Scamp, the proprietor, expressed a strong desire to step back from the pub's daily operations and venture into new endeavors, as mentioned in the Oxford Drinker, CAMRA's renowned magazine advocating for authentic beer.

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According to Dave Richardson from Oxford CAMRA, the shutdown on July 23rd was accelerated because the West Oxfordshire District Council decided to enforce their denial of retroactive planning consent for a conservatory that was constructed at the front of the establishment during the Covid limitations. This conservatory enabled Drummer's to essentially increase their capacity twofold.

If a different person becomes the new owner, it is probable that the conservatory will need to be dismantled.

The drummer had a pair of hand-operated pumps and a wider variety of specialty keg beers, predominantly sourced from nearby producers. Additionally, their beverage selection comprised gin, whisky, and other options.

It garnered a devoted group of supporters and became the primary destination for numerous beer enthusiasts in Witney, earning its inclusion in the prestigious Good Beer Guide.

Additional pubs in Witney that are included in GBG's 2023 listing are the Angel Inn and Eagle Tavern.

At Drummer's, customers would frequently enjoy live musical performances on weekends, while occasionally having the opportunity to bring their own food for communal sharing.

Mr Scamp expressed his satisfaction with managing the bar, yet he admitted that the financial returns were insufficient.

The council generally had no issue with the extension, but the preservationists insisted on reducing its size.

We decided to enlarge it due to the Covid situation since we required additional area to make it sustainable. However, now the cost of electricity has tripled, and there seems to be no foreseeable resolution to this issue.

"I am currently working on resolving an issue to ensure its reopening."

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The pub commenced its operations in 2018 under the title Oxbrew, adopting the identical name as the brewing company initiated in Enstone in 2016 by Simon and his stepchild, Aaron Baldwin.

In 2019, Oxbrew and Little Ox came together in Freeland under the new name of Little Ox Brew Co. During this merger, Simon and Aaron chose to pursue separate paths. Simon, who happens to be a skilled drummer, decided to give the bar a fresh identity and renamed it Drummer's.

He works as a professional artist, creating unique designs for the beer glasses used at the Oxford Beer and Cider Festival in the previous year.

The inclusion of Drummer's in the esteemed Good Beer Guide in 2020 was deemed by Mr. Scamp as the ultimate approval for a bar.

In Oxfordshire, numerous pubs have shut down in the past few months as a result of the ongoing affordability crisis.

These establishments comprise The Remarkable Rabbit in West Hendred, where the proprietor expressed her difficulties in covering the costs of essential services.

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