Message from Nikki Page at The Rose & Crown

Wed 18 Jun, 19:48 (last edited on Wed 18 Jun, 21:33)

Just wanted to add my agreement with everything others have said - especially re the care taken over the new ownership and good wishes for the future.

Twelve years ago my late wife and I stayed at The Bell over a weekend (there was a lady named Laura who seemed to be running it!) so we could decide whether we wanted to move here.  My wife went for an early night so I sneaked out and heard some live blues coming from the Rosie - that'll do for me I thought!

Special thanks to Nikki.  I'm only an 'occasional' - but as I told her yesterday, I thought she was looking a bit wistful when she served us a pint on Monday!

Tue 17 Jun, 21:14

Nikki

Pat and I wish you all the best in everything you choose to do in the future. You and Tom will never be forgotten for what you have done for Charlbury and I am sure every society that has met in the Rosie will miss you and your Dad.

Thanks for keeping the Rosie alive and well and passing the baton onto somebody who cares

Tue 17 Jun, 20:18

Thank you Nikki for letting us all know the news. It sounds like the Rosie's future is secured, and with it the heart of the community here.

Tue 17 Jun, 18:30

Thanks Nikki for this information and for the personal efforts taken in finding someone who can retain the ethos and welcome for us all in Charlbury. It must have been difficult for you and Tom as Tom was declining in health. I am sure all of us in the town would say how much we appreciated your continuing to run the ‘Rosie’ and look forward to meeting the new Landlord. Best wishes for your future! 

Tue 17 Jun, 14:27

It's no exaggeration to say that one of the main reasons I moved to Charlbury was the Rose & Crown. Living in tied accommodation, I had to move on retirement, and to be within easy walking distance of a really good pub was one of my main criteria .. whence Charlbury. Thanks, Nikki (& Tom).

Tue 17 Jun, 14:09

Charlbury has been incredibly lucky to have had not just one, but two truly exceptional publicans in Tom and Nikki. The Rose & Crown has always been more than just a pub – it’s been a place of warmth and connection, thanks to the spirit of community that both of them brought to it.

Nikki, you’ve done your dad proud. Stepping up at such a difficult time and continuing to turn up to run The Rosie with hard work, humour and integrity is no small thing – and I’m sure I speak for many when I say how much it’s been appreciated.

Wishing you every happiness – and a few weekends off (!) – in whatever comes next. Here’s to the next chapter.

Tue 17 Jun, 13:36 (last edited on Tue 17 Jun, 13:42)

This gives me hope. Tom's and Nikki's shoes will be extremely hard to fill, but it sounds the very best option available, especially considering what could have happened ...
... and while we're at it, it's Tom's birthday today. I for one will be raising a pint to him this afternoon, in thanks for all he and his family did to make The Rosie the best pub in Oxfordshire.

Tue 17 Jun, 13:27

Thanks Nikki (and Tom) for all the effort that goes into running such a fabulous pub. I'm very pleased that Oak Taverns were your chosen buyer.

For those that do not know Oak Taverns they run around 20 wet-sales only pubs in the region - including a number of absolute gems In addition, over the past few years they have saved the Red Lion in Yarnton, the Crown in Marcham and the Sun in Wheatley from probable permanent closure: all are now thriving vibrant pubs again.

If you get the chance, visit a pub which is similar to the Rosie, the Cross Keys in Thame. A small town-centre pub with nine superb real ales and ciders from across the UK - this is exactly what it did before Oak Taverns took over, and after they took over they continued in the same vein - because it was what the customers wanted and it was what worked for the pub! 

Best wishes Nikki, and good luck to Simon for the future; the Rosie is in safe hands.

Tue 17 Jun, 12:57

 Message from Nikki Page to our friends, customers, regulars and the wider Charlbury community

As many of you know, when Tom sadly passed away in 2023, I took over the licence to run the Rose & Crown. Since then, I’ve tried to run The Rosie in the spirit my dad did for some 37 years.

While the business continues to thrive, I’ve been reflecting for some time on the pub’s future — and my own. After much deliberation and many sleepless nights, I’ve decided to sell the Rose & Crown.

This is something Dad and I talked about often in the latter part of his life, so his wishes are very much embedded in the decision I’m announcing today — as well as in my hopes for the future of the pub that’s been in my family for nearly four decades.

I’m pleased to let you know that a lovely, family-run real ale group will be taking over the reins and giving the Rose & Crown the care, attention and investment it needs to serve Charlbury for another forty years. We’re planning a ‘meet-and-greet’ event on Tuesday 17th June at 6:00pm with Simon Collinson from Oak taverns so you can get to know the new owners.

And I’m happy to say that my amazing team of staff will be staying on, so there will be continuity and familiar faces behind the bar — and the beer will keep flowing.

As you can imagine, this has been a difficult decision, and one I’ve kept quiet to avoid too much speculation or uncertainty. But throughout, the staff, our customers — and the whole community — have been on my mind as I navigated this change.

I want to thank you all for your support, loyalty and encouragement over the years. I hope you’ll continue to enjoy this special place as we move forward together into The Rosie’s next chapter.