Pub operator JD Wetherspoon is to open its new pub in Oxford on Friday December 11, with the creation of 50 jobs.

The company has spent £500,000 re-developing the outlet, on the site of the former Ha! Ha! Bar in Castle Street.

The Wetherspoon pub, which will be called The Swan and Castle, will be managed by Sam Jennings.

The pubs name refers to an inn that previously stood adjacent to the site of the new outlet. original Swan and Castle built in 1896, on the site of the . Both were Hall’s pubs, whose main brew house was on nearby Swan’s Nest Island.

Castle Street was redeveloped in 1970, when the Swan and Castle demolished to make way for the County Hall, situated next to the new pub.

The Swan and Castle will specialise in real ales, serving a wide range of beers, including those from local and regional brewers.

The new pub will be open from 9.30am until midnight (Sunday to Thursday) and from 9.30am until 1am on Friday and Saturday. Food will be served throughout the day.

Children, accompanied by an adult, will be welcome in the pub until 9pm throughout the week (Sunday to Thursday), with last orders for food at 8pm, and until 6pm Friday and Saturday (last orders for food at 5pm). As a condition on the licence, both the adult and child must order a meal.

The pub will be wheelchair accessible and have a specially-adapted toilet for people with disabilities.

The new-look outlet will feature one bar, as well as a pavement cafe area, to the front, rear and side of the premises, where smoking will be permitted.

Photos and information boards relating to the history and characters of the area will be displayed in the pub.

Manager Sam Jennings said: “I am looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and am confident that it will be a good addition to Oxford’s social scene.”

The company already runs two pubs in the area, The Four Candles in George Street, Oxford, as well as The William Morris in Between Towns Road, Cowley.