Proposal Submitted to Safeguard Historic Oxford Pub Linked to Tolkien and Lewis

A proposal has been put forward to safeguard a pub, known to have been frequented by authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, in anticipation of significant renovation work. The Eagle and Child, an establishment located in Oxford that closed its doors in 2020, is under the ownership of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), a company belonging to U.S. tech billionaire Larry Ellison. The pub, situated in St Giles’ and with origins tracing back to 1650, features an interior plaque that commemorates the gatherings of these writers. The EIT stated its commitment to reopening the pub, but also highlighted a “pressing need” to protect both the pub and its adjacent structures, which it described as being in an “extremely poor” condition. As members of The Inklings group, Tolkien and Lewis frequently convened with fellow academics at this Grade II listed location, which had previously been the property of St John’s College. The scope of work for which EIT is seeking authorization encompasses the repair and restoration of existing windows, alongside the cleaning of original stonework to halt its deterioration. In a document submitted to Oxford City Council, the institute affirmed: “EIT is committed to carrying out sensitive repairs that allows the heritage values of these important Oxford buildings to be celebrated, and once again reopened for residents, tourists and the wider community to enjoy.” The council is anticipated to render a decision on whether to approve the application for listed building consent within the upcoming weeks.