Regulars have been angered by plans to close an Oxford city centre pub which has been serving drinkers for almost 200 years.

The Gloucester Arms, in Friars Entry, near Gloucester Green, is a popular haunt with bikers and heavy metal fans and is renowned for its jukebox.

But the pub, owned by St John's College, is set to close after college bosses said they would not renew the lease. The pub has been in use since 1825.

The news sparked uproar amongst pub-goers who are set to mourn the closure of yet another city venue.

Joe Connell-Hinkes, 23, from Jericho, has worked behind the bar for almost five years.

He said: "The first time I came here I felt I'd found my spiritual home. I know there are a lot of people that feel the same as me and who are absolutely gutted."

Derek Honey, Witney-based author of an Encyclopaedia of Oxford's Pubs, Inns and Taverns, said: "All of the pubs around the St Giles' area are owned by St John's College. They really could not care two monkeys about tradition or about Oxford's pubs."

A St John's college spokesman said he was unable to comment.

Mr Connell-Hinkes added: "People are calling for a petition, but there is no point - there is nothing we can do now.

"It's such a shame because it was pretty much the only pub left in the city that people felt they could come to with any atmosphere. Soon there'll be no individuality at all in the city."

Ronan Munro, editor of Oxford's music magazine Nightshift, said: "The Gloucester Arms was a million miles from the rest of the over-corporate and over-polished bars and pubs in town.

"Basically it is a fantastic character pub and it has a great atmosphere. Brick by brick the character is being taken out of this city."

A closing-down party is planned for this weekend, starting on Friday and continuing through Saturday. Oxford rock band Beard of Zeuss will be headlining.