Arkell’s adopts a mayor… and a spare for National Beer Competition
Promoting real ale: Swindon mayor Peter Stoddart (l) with deputy mayor, and Arkell's financial director, Ray Fisher
After Selby MP John Grogan challenged brewers to photograph their local mayor wearing mayoral chains in a setting to show their commitment to British Ale, during the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia last month, Arkell’s Brewery jumped at the challenge.
But it definitely wasn’t Mission Impossible for this Swindon-based family brewery as not only is the town’s mayor, Peter Stoddart, known to appreciate a good pint, but his deputy mayor, Ray Fisher, is also a director of the brewery.
John Grogan, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, told brewers: "It really is time for Britain's mayors, councillors and MPs to get behind their national drink and give it the same sort of practical and emotional support that France gives its wine. "It is obtuse that the world's most refreshing drink, beer, is so often missing from important council or governmental events in Britain, but by allowing your mayors to understand not just your beers but also the importance of brewing to the local economy, you will help to change all that."
Managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, James Arkell, said: “We agree wholeheartedly with John Grogan’s comments and are delighted to join forces with our fellow independent brewers to promote real ale. We already supply some Arkell’s 3Bs to the Mayor’s Parlour in Swindon and we hope that our cunning plan to develop the tastebuds of all Swindonians through the infiltration of one of our brewery directors as deputy mayor, hasn’t been noticed!”
Arkell’s Brewery, which is 161 years old this year, has been a mainstay of Swindon’s economy since 1843. It’s survived two world wars, the growth and demise of Brunel’s famous Swindon railway works and is the oldest business in Swindon, employing 55 at its Kingsdown Brewery in Stratton. Arkell’s brews mostly cask ale and constantly invests in its estate of 103 pubs. The brewery has also continued to build new pubs, with the Tawny Owl at Taw Hill in Swindon opening in Autumn 2003.
Swindon’s mayor, Peter Stoddart, said: “There’s nothing like a good pint of real ale, and I’m happy to promote such a worthwhile cause.”
Beatles tribute band reunited – for one night only……….
Fans of the fab four: Lorna and Andy Sumbler
After seven years of being ‘John Lennon’, in the internationally successful Beatles tribute band ‘The Ludwig Beatles’, Mick York did his last gig at City Hall in Liverpool three years ago swearing that he’d never be a Beatle again!
But he reckoned without the persuasive skills of Alan and Lorna Sumbler, landlords at Arkell’s put The Flag in Bridge Street, Swindon.
For Lorna is a self-confessed Beatles nut and an old friend of Mick’s.
She said: “Mick’s been doing sessions for us at The Flag since April when we took over behind the bar, and we knew we’d wear him down! The Ludwig Beatles’ tribute band started in Swindon in the mid- 90s and ended up touring the World, it was so successful. But being someone else for so long takes its toll, so Mick and the boys decided to call it a day, and he’s now in a new band which plays around the West Country called The Heys.
“So, For One Night Only, on 23rd September, we’re hosting a Beatles nostagia night at The Flag as the Ludwig Beatles reform just for us. It starts at 8.30pm and finishes when it finishes – if they do all the songs they want, we’ll be here until the early hours of the morning!”
Lorna and Alan took over The Flag in April this year, and since then they’ve seen business soaring upwards as they hold jam sessions and live music events at this Arkell’s pub. “Our personal enjoyment of old music, especially The Beatles, seems to be in tune with a whole mass of people in Swindon and there’s nothing else like it on Bridge Street,” says Lorna.
The Flag pub is one big tribute to The Beatles, with displays of 60s memorabilia in cases all over the walls.
“It’s wonderful to feel the buzz at The Flag,” said James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery. “Like pint of 3Bs, classic pop music is one of the only things that comes close to giving that same warm feeling inside. The Ludwig Beatles are a brilliant group and we have had them in the past for our brewery staff parties.”
For more information on The Ludwig Beatles reunion night contact Lorna Sumbler on 01793 536375.
More about The Flag
Keith Floyd Checks out the Competition!
Heading for Highworth?: the flamboyant Keith Floyd
Well-known TV chef Keith Floyd popped into The Saracen’s Head, Highworth near Swindon last week as rumour grows that he’s looking to buy a pub in the area.
But new landlord Adrian Mitchell, known as ‘AJ’ to Highworth locals and drinkers at The GW in Swindon where he worked for the previous five years, said: “He didn’t stop for a meal, more’s the pity, as he would have tasted the fantastic food of Sian Vockins, our chef.”
Sian’s cooking is legendary in Highworth, as she and her husband owned and ran Fattios for many years. When The Vockins decided to close their restaurant after a decade and look for a fresh challenge, the restaurant’s customes were relieved when Sian moved her kitchen, lock, stock and barrel over to The Saracen’s Head across the road. She has now presided as head chef for more than a year producing new dishes along with the old favourites to the growing number of The Saracen Head’s customers.
“If Mr Floyd does move to the area, he’ll have some stiff competition from Sian and her team,” said James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, which owns the pub. “But there’s always room for talented chefs as it encourages more people to go out and enjoy good food.”
Over the last year The Saracen’s Head has been treated to a makeover from its letting bedrooms right through to the public bar. Pride of place behind the bars are racks of Arkell’s real ales in casks, which AJ spends as much time maintaining to perfection as Sian does in her kitchens.
“We looking forward to welcoming Keith Floyd to the pub with the best beer on tap in Highworth,” said AJ. “I think that our combination of real ale, fantastic food and a comfortable bed for the night if it all gets overwhelming, all at The Saracen’s Head, is going to be a really hard act to follow.”
More about The Saracens Head
Charity begins at home say Woodpecker Landlords
Generous customers at Arkell’s Brewery pub, The Woodpecker, on Andover Road in Newbury, have raised £800 for Mencap, the UK’s leading learning disability charity.
But landlords Andrew and Janet Cover are determined that their customer’s hard-earned cash goes to the local branch of the national charity, so the money benefits local people.
“We love raising money for charity,” said Janet. “But I’ve heard some tales of large cheques being sent to the headquarters of national offices and you just don’t know how the money’s been spent. So we insisted that what we raised at The Woodpecker would be spent on things that would really benefit our local branch – West Berkshire Mencap.”
When Janet contacted local organiser Layla Ferguson, her shopping list was very practical.
“Layla told me they wanted a pallet truck as they’re moving premises, a store-room trolley and a soft play bag,” she explained. “We were delighted to provide them with this essential equipment and I’m told they are already being put to very good use.”
The £800 was raised over the last two years by customers putting money in a gallon whisky bottle on the bar.
“There were £5 and £10 notes stuffed in that bottle,” explains Janet. “And quite rightly our customers don’t just want to see the money spent on national administration costs of any big charity. This way we all know we’ve provided items that will make it easier for MENCAP to operate locally. And Andrew and I can look our customers in the eye and start raising money all over again!”
Arkell’s Brewery managing director, James Arkell, said: “Customers in all our pubs are unfailingly generous and give hundreds of pounds annually to a wide range of charities through the fundraising of many of our landlords. We know that every charity has to allocate money to essential administration costs, but I strongly support Andrew and Janet’s desire to see money that has been raised over a long period of time going to local deserving causes.”
More about The Woodpecker
Singles night at the Carpenters Arms Motel!
Expanding business: Robert Feal-Martinez, landlord of the Carpenters Arms
After careful market research, Swindon’s smartest ‘Motelier’ Robert Feal-Martinez has expanded his business at this Arkell’s pub by building a series of single motel rooms to add to the five double motel rooms built just three years ago.
“As Swindon’s only motel, demand for our accommodation has grown since opening the rooms in 2001,” said Robert. “So we decided to increase the number of letting rooms and in our particular market, it’s single rooms that people are calling for – not doubles, as a significant proportion of our customers are business people,” said Robert.
Robert has also installed broadband wireless internet access (80211G) into the motel – and residents don’t even have to have the software on their computer – both hardware and software are provided by The Carpenters, with the software taking just a few minutes to download. This service costs just £2 per night.
“It’s all about knowing your market,” explains Robert. “We’re lucky not to have the peaks and troughs of seasonal business that the more traditional hotels and B&Bs experience, but it does mean that I often work from 6am to Midnight seven days a week.”
To add to his responsibilities, former police officer Robert is also the secretary for The British Institute of Innkeeping, in Wessex, which promotes high standards of professionalism, employment practice and social responsibility within the licensed retail sector.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, which owns The Carpenter’s Arms, said: “Robert has successfully developed The Carpenter’s Arms business so that both the pub and the accommodation sides are thriving. He has achieved 60% repeat business on accommodation and 70% repeat business for the pub – this is a real destination pub for food too. These are statistics to be proud of and a really successful example on how to develop a country pub.”
More about The Carpenters
Sparky the beer-loving Shetland Pony gets Trapped!
Thirsty work!: Jason Reeves giving Sparky his pint of Arkell's Kingsdown Ale (his current favourite tipple) with Jason's daughter Casey (second from right), with two friends, looking on.
After a year of supping free pints of Arkell’s 3Bs real ale, 3-year old Sparky the beer-loving Shetland pony, has been set to work by landlords Sarah and Jason Reeves and Sarah’s father, pub chef, John Baldwin.
Between them and Arkell’s Brewery, which owns the pub, they’ve given Sparky his own brightly-painted trap and sent him off to promote the pub!
“I reckons it’s about time he ‘paid’ for his pint,” says John. “He’s been to market a few times now in his little trap, and the traders and customers at Gloucester’s Cattle Market are beginning to get used to him trotting in– and we always keep a pint of beer for him if he gets too hot. He certainly seems to enjoy all the attention he’s getting.”
Sparky hit the headlines across the world last year when news broke of this ale-loving pony whose passion for pints was discovered by John Baldwin. “He just walked into the bar one day and started drinking someone’s leftover beer. Then it happened again a few days later and we discovered his passion – but being a very discerning pony he only really likes Arkell’s 3Bs. He won’t drink water, doesn’t like shandy – it’s too fizzy, and even Cider, which we thought he’d love, doesn’t cut the mustard like a pint of Arkell’s real ale. Occasionally he'll suffer a pint of lager!”
Since entering the world stage, Sparky has featured on local, national and even international TV stations, including Korean TV which send a camera crew thousands of miles especially to film him – he’s even had his own mention in OK! Magazine.
“It’s been a full-time job being his agent,” sighs John. “Now it’s pay-back time!”
Sparky found himself at The Globe two year’s ago after a neighbour bought him from a horse fair but couldn’t find anywhere to keep him. The Globe has a big field so John, Sarah and Jason her husband decided to give him a home.
Arkell’s are delighted that Sparky has been such a success for the pub, and independent veterinary advice says that real ale won’t do him any harm – in moderation.
Managing director at the brewery, James Arkell, said: “Sparky has very good taste. When we heard he had his own cart we couldn’t wait to paint it up for John, Sarah and Jason so Sparky can feel proud of his new role, as The Globe’s official, roving ambassador!”
More about The Globe
Is the next Jenson Button living at The Royal Oak?
Formula one, here I come!: Jamie hopes to emulate Mclaren driver Kimi Raikkonen (pic. above) who graduated from Formula Renault to become a grand prix star.
Landladies Janet and Andrea Gruber of Arkell’s pub The Royal Oak in Lechlade have every reason to down a celebratory pint of 3Bs this week!
Just a few days after Andrea’s 4-month old baby, Ella, won The Wilts and Glos Standard Baby of the Year competition, Janet’s son Jamie (Andrea’s brother!), has landed himself a coveted place in the Formula Renault driving championships.
Formula Renault UK is one of the world's most exciting junior single-seater championships, launching the careers of current McLaren F1 driver and Grand Prix winner Kimi Raikkonen, F1 test driver Antonio Pizzonia and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Guy Smith.
According to mum Janet, Jamie, 19, has been mad on driving since the age of seven years’ old when he started racing go-karts. Since then he’s won go-kart races across the region, including at Rissington track near Burford and Shenington near Banbury.
“He’s totally focussed and committed to the sport,” she said at The Royal Oak today. “The day he left Burford Community College at 16 he went to work at Oxford Go Karting and hasn’t looked back since. He’s so committed that he won’t drink, smoke or accept any distractions that could put him off aiming for the top, I’m so proud of him, although his decision to be tea-total doesn’t help my bar profits!”
Janet and her husband Dave have had to make sacrifices themselves by underwriting Jamie’s bid for success by £25,000.
“It’s because he’s so confident about his future, and willing to give up so much personally to make it happen – even girlfriends, that we’re prepared to support him in this way,” says Janet.
Jamie’s races will be screened live on Sky TV Channel 413 this Sunday at 9.30am and again at 2.30pm. For more information, contact The Royal Oak, Lechlade on 01367 252261.
More about The Royal Oak
Caretakers sweep into dream job
Family affair: Stephen, Phil and Sheila Leppard outside their new pub in Kempsford
Former Highworth school caretakers, Stephen and Sheila Leppard, have at last found their dream jobs at an Arkell's pub in Kempsford – and they’ve taken their family with them!
For most of their careers, Stephen and Sheila worked as school caretakers at Warneford and Southfield Schools but when Stephen became chairman of Highworth Town Football club, the couple found that they were happiest when they were behind the bar with beer than wielding brushes in the school yard.
“I really enjoyed organising entertainment and working behind the bar at the football club,” said Stephen. “It felt like I’d finally found the job for me.”
So after his tenure as football club chairman had ended, they threw it all in, gave notice to the schools, sold their house and four years ago bought the lease of the Heart in Hand pub at Blunsdon, near Swindon.
“It was a really run-down pub but we worked hard to return it to a traditional village local,” he said.
Flushed with their success, Stephen and Sheila are now adding to their 'family' of pubs by taking over as landlords at Arkell’s pub, The George at Kempsford. Their son Philip (21) is working as manager whilst Daniel (26) their oldest son, continues to manage The Heart in Hand in Blunsdon.
“We love the pub and Kempsford village– although we had a baptism of fire as we moved in the same week the biggest Air Tattoo in the world was going on just yards from the village,” said Sheila.
Stephen, Sheila and Philip will be kept on their toes by chairman Peter Arkell and managing director James Arkell of pub owners Arkell’s Brewery who live close by and drop in regularly for a pint, so they’re making extra sure that the beer is permanently up to scratch.
“Life in a pub is certainly different to being a school caretaker,” said Stephen. “It’s no easier, but it’s definitely a whole lot more fun and I think I’ll drink to that.”
More about The George
Brewing New Business in Swindon
Kingsdown Orchard - grand opening: (l to r) John Blackerstone (letting agent), Ray Fisher (Financial Director at Arkells), Nick Arkell (Sales Director at Arkells), James Arkell (MD), The Reverend Angela Overton-Benge, (Chaplain for Economic Life), Mike Bawden, (Leader of Swindon Borough Council), Pat and Fred Appleton (former owners of the orchard on which The Orchard is built!).
More than 50 per cent of the new offices and business units next to Arkell’s Brewery on Hyde Road in Stratton, Swindon have already been let and more companies came forward to register their interest at the official opening of The Orchard today (Wednesday 21 July).
Making use of previously redundant land at Stratton, Arkell’s Brewery has built eight high quality office units, ranging from 800 sq ft to 1800 sq ft in size and which are currently attracting a rental income of £13 per sq ft. All the units are finished to a modern standard and all have parking.
The Orchard was opened by Councillor Mike Bawden, Chairman of Swindon Borough Council and attended by the new Chaplain for Economic Life in Swindon, The Reverend Angela Overton-Benge. Pat and Fred Appleton, former owners of the orchard on which The Orchard is built, were also guests of honour.
“This land had been lying unused for a long time and we felt that providing a range of small business accommodation would be an ideal use for the area and of benefit to the local business community,” said Brewery managing director, James Arkell.
New companies coming forward to take advantage of these properties include Myquest, which designs asset management software.
Managing director Don Praetor said: “We have outgrown our current offices in Central Swindon and there is little around of such good quality at the rent which is being asked at The Orchard. Our new premises are ideal, and the easy access to the main roads and good parking are added benefits.”
According to John Blackerstone at Grove House Property Management, which is marketing the development on behalf of Arkell’s: “There is a noticeable lack of affordable good quality office accommodation for small businesses in Swindon. These new offices are ideal for such businesses, not least because of the excellent access to the A419 and M4 just 5 minutes away.”
James Arkell is delighted that Swindon’s oldest business, Arkell’s Brewery, is now in a position to help new businesses establish themselves in the town two centuries later.
"Perhaps it’s the pint of 3Bs that many brewery staff sup each day that helps keep our business going – if we could prove that, we'd throw in a pint a day with the lease terms to help our new tenants on their way!”
The Orchard, is now completed and five office units are currently available for letting. For more information contact John Blackerstone at Grove House Property Management on 01793 770547.
According to John Blackerstone at Grove House Property Management, which is marketing the development on behalf of Arkell’s: “There is a noticeable lack of affordable good quality office accommodation for small businesses in Swindon. These new offices are ideal for such businesses, not least because of the excellent access to the A419 and M4 just 5 minutes away.”
