Cropredy pub hit by Oxford canal closure
10/09/2025
There appears little chance of the canal re-opening any time soon
A local pub which relies on passing trade from the Oxford Canal is having to restrict its opening hours and temporarily close its kitchen due to a current closure on the waterway.
Due to water shortages the Canal and River Trust introduced a lock closure between Claydon and Little Bourton on August 15 and added all locks down as far as Aynho Weir just over a week later.
The Red Lion in Cropredy says the restrictions on canal movements has taken away all the passing trade they had previously seen from boaters. This, together with rising food and energy prices, led to their decision.
In a statement they said: “We are very grateful to our loyal staff and customers who always keep us going through both the good times and the bad, however we find ourselves with no other option than to limit our opening hours and close the kitchen until the trade opens up again.”
It doesn’t seem like the canal will open any time soon. The recent rain has been soaked up by the parched ground it falls on, rather than flowing into the reservoirs.
A Canal And River Trust spokesperson said: “Canals are feeling the effects of drought and prolonged dry weather across the country, and the Oxford is no exception. Our charity is working round the clock to keep boaters afloat, look after wildlife and protect centuries-old infrastructure, but part of that work means closing some locks to conserve water.
“Towpaths remain open to visitors who can continue to walk and cycle along them, as well as support waterside businesses. It will take several weeks of sustained rainfall before we can consider lifting these restrictions, but we are making use of closures to bring forward planned maintenance work.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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