A historic pub in Fishponds that temporarily closed in February has been taken over by a pub chain founded in Oxford. The Cross Hands on Staple Hill Road has been bought by Dodo Pub Co, which now has seven pubs in its growing portfolio.
The Cross Hands closed on February 26 after the previous tenants cited "ever-rising costs" as part of their decision to move on from the business after more than eight years. In an announcement on social media, the previous operators said it was "going to be a genuine wrench" to say goodbye to their customers, and stated the pub would be closed for six weeks for refurbishment.
New owners, Dodo Pub Co, opened their first pub in East Oxford back in 2009 called The Rusty Bicycle and have developed a small empire of neighbourhood venues in the city as well as Cheltenham, Caversham and Witney. The Cross Hands has been renamed the All Inn and is expected to open in May after the revamp is complete.
