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The James Figg, a friendly new free house has opened in Cornmarket, Thame. 

The new pub is the former Abingdon Arms.  It has been completely renovated inside and out and is reopening with its new name, The James Figg, to celebrate one of Thame’s most famous sons.  Figg, who is reputed to have lived in the pub, was England’s first undisputed champion boxer, winning 270 bouts in the early 1700s.

The revived free house, which is run by the same people behind The Thatch, serves quality real ales and lagers, some of them brewed locally, alongside decent wines by the glass and simple traditional pub food, in a convivial atmosphere.  Deceptively accommodating behind its terraced frontage, The James Figg will provide an attractive new watering-hole in the heart of the town.

Also fully refurbished is The Stables, an events space in the pub’s courtyard, which will now be available for private parties, meetings and community events.  With its own bar, Wi-Fi and facilities for a DJ, it will be a great place to hold a “do”.

Frazer Sutherland, who runs The Thatch in Thame, will also be overseeing The James Figg, with manager Tony Lindsell behind the bar.  Frazer says: “I’ve long thought that what Thame needed was a simple, friendly pub with an enjoyable atmosphere where you could drop in for a drink or three, have a good night out with friends or family, and a quick bite to eat too, if you wanted. That’s really what we hoped to achieve in the new-look pub.”

A portrait of the pub’s namesake takes pride of place in the front bar.  And as well as restoring the memory of James Figg, the pub celebrates British sporting champions down the years with a series of classic photos lining the walls.   There will also be the chance to see the country’s current sporting heroes in action with major events being shown in the pub, as well as regular quiz nights for regulars who fancy being local champions themselves.
 
On tap will be a good selection of well-kept real ales including Wells Bombardier, Timothy Taylor Landlord and bitter from the Vale Brewery in Brill.  The James Figg will also serve Cotswold Premium and Cotswold seasonal lagers brewed down the road by one of only a handful of British lager producers in the country, as well as Addlestone’s Cloudy Cider.

A short but carefully-chosen wine list numbers some great-tasting house and every day reds, whites and rosés, available by the glass, a 500ml ‘Pinta’ or a regular 750ml bottle.  There will also be a few bottles for special occasions but none with a price tag over £25.

If you’re hungry, there’s a lunchtime and evening menu of good honest dishes like a Slab of Home-roast Ham, Egg and Chips, plus sandwiches, and puddings.  The food may be simple but the quality is right, using only free-range chicken and eggs and ham from outdoor-reared pigs.  The aim to be part of the community continues with good local suppliers like Newitt’s contributing pies and sausage rolls.

“We’ve taken a tired old building, given it some care and attention, and made it into what I call a ‘proper pub’ – a real place for real people, “ continues Frazer. “It’s somewhere you can relax over a pint and the paper, drop in for lunch after shopping or have a beer with friends or a decent bottle of wine in the evening.

“Like everyone in town, we were well aware that Thame used to have a different venue called Jimmy Figg’s with a mixed reputation. But we thought James Figg was such a great local character that he deserved honouring in his home town. We think that if he came back to the pub today, it is somewhere he would enjoy holding court over a decent pint and a Newitt’s pie.”

The James Figg is at 21 Cornmarket, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2BL. Tel: 01844 260 166. www.thejamesfiggthame.co.uk

For more information or pictures, please contact:
Sarah Pracey     020 8851 1959/07985 112 777     Click to email:


Also in Oxfordshire:

The Thatch, 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340. www.thethatchthame.co.uk

The Fishes,  North Hinksey Village, Oxford OX2 0NA.  Tel: 01865 249796.  Web: www.fishesoxford.co.uk

The Fleece, 11 Church Green, Witney, Oxon OX8 4AZ.  Tel: 01993 892270. www.fleecewitney.co.uk