30 years doing business Arkell’s and Edmont celebrate!
One relationship that's anything but wooden: staff at Edmont's joinery celebrate their 30 year partnership with Arkell's Brewery
Two of Swindon’s most successful and well established companies: Arkell’s Brewery and Edmont Joinery are celebrating a successful 30 years of association this week.
If they were married, they’d be celebrating their pearl anniversary, but perhaps, for Edmont, a wooden anniversary would be more appropriate.
The partnership began in 1977 when Arkell’s began to use local firm Edmont to fit out and refurbish its pubs, clubs and hotels. Three decades later and Edmont, almost without exception, carries out all the building and refurbishment of Arkell’s pubs across the brewery’s estate. The Tawny Owl at Taw Hill, The Jovial Monk at Abbey Meads, The Woodshaw at Wootton Bassett and The Liden Arms at Liden were all built and fitted out by Edmont.
James said: “Back in the 1970s, when Edmont was still based at Williams Street in Swindon, we recognised the quality of their work, and when Les Clark was planning the development of the business when his father-in-law Tom Chick retired, we suggested a mutual association.”
Three decades later and both Arkell’s and Edmont have grown. Arkell’s have almost doubled their estate of pubs and Edmont has widened its business, fitting out service stations and corporate head offices, working at airports such as Standsted Airport, Heathrow’s Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 and on refurbishing private houses across the South of England. It also carries out a lot of work for The Nationwide Building Society.
Almost 27 years ago, Edmont moved from its original base at Williams Street in Old Town to a purpose built new factory in the old Brewery Orchard at Arkell’s in Stratton.
In Williams Street running a joinery business could be a hazardous affair when large consignments of timber were delivered to the small factory unit, cutting off the flow of traffic down the small town centre street. At the new purpose-built premises next to Arkell’s, however, there was the opportunity to expand their business to take on other substantial contracts which they now work on alongside the Arkell’s projects.
“It’s been a really successful relationship right from the beginning, based on great personalities and good business. Les Clark, Peter Jenkinson (my brother-in-law) and so many other wonderful characters have made for an enjoyable and successful 30 years,” said James Arkell.
Les Clark, Chairman at Edmonts, said: “I first came to Swindon when I was 18, and started working for a local company. But coming from a family who had always worked for themselves it didn’t take me long to decide to do the same. I set up a joinery business and called it Edmont, because I come from Edmonton in London. Our association with Arkell’s is special, based on enormous mutual respect between our companies and who are now almost inextricably linked. I see no reason why we shouldn’t be celebrating 50 years of association in the year 2027!”
The two businesses celebrated their long association by asking the Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Mike Bawden to tour the joinery works and unveil a plaque to mark 30 years’ association, before a celebration lunch held back at the Brewery.
More about Arkell's History
Arkell’s rolls out barrels of Bee’s Organic!
Now at a pub near you: Cask-conditioned Bee's Organic Ale
Casks of Bee’s Organic Ale are being rolled out of the brewery this week as for the first time; Arkell’s begins delivering its award-winning organic ale as cask-conditioned to pubs across the area.
Ten Arkell’s pubs* will be taking delivery of Bee’s Organic cask-conditioned ale ready to offer it to their customers over the Easter weekend.
Don Bracher, Arkell’s Head Brewer, created the beer in October 2001. He said: “There’s no difference in how organic beer is brewed – we still use the same natural ingredients, but they are all grown organically and are therefore more traditional. The ingredients for our Bee’s Organic Ale are much the same as they would have been hundreds of years ago.”
Bee’s Organic Ale is brewed using organic honey and locally grown First Goldings hops and Barley.
Arkell’s Brewery supplied its award-winning Bee’s Organic Ale in casks ale for the first time last year as a limited edition for a special country fair near Cirencester, and it proved so popular that the brewery decided to add the beer to its regular roster of special, Seasonal Ales.
Before going ahead with the cask ale last year, the brewery had to apply for further Soil Association approval before it could be supplied with organic certification.
Nick Arkell, sales director at Arkell’s, said: “Few breweries sell organic ale in casks, so we are offering a taste of real ale which isn’t readily available. We were delighted with the vote of approval we received from our customers last year when we produced our first Bee’s Organic in casks. They tell us they enjoy it mainly because it tastes good, but also because it’s organic, which means the ingredients are carefully sourced.”
Arkell’s Bee’s Organic will now take its rightful place on the brewery’s regular ‘specials’ list, which means that whilst it won’t be a regular beer, it will be brewing it from time to time during the year, to give customers a wider variety of Arkell’s Ales.
Launched in 2001, Bee's is Arkell's first organic ale - and has been voted 'Organic Ale of the Year' in a number of awards over the years.
Organically grown malted barley, hops and, unusually, organically produced honey are used in the brew. These give this golden premium ale a light, fresh taste - with the organic honey providing a delightful and surprising flavour. ABV: 4.5%.
Bee’s Organic Ale in casks will be available at the following pubs over the Easter Weekend:
SWINDON
The Rat Trap, Highworth Road, Swindon
The Sun Inn, Coate Water, Swindon
The County Ground Hotel, County Road, Swindon
The Woodshaw, Wootton Bassett, Swindon
The GW, Station Road, Swindon
WILTSHIRE
The Old Bear, High Street, Cricklade
The Saracen’s Head, High Street, Highworth
The Bear Hotel, High Street, Marlborough
OXFORDSHIRE
The White Horse, Woolstone (nr Faringdon)
HAMPSHIRE
The White Hart, The Square, Whitchurch
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Arkell’s 2007 beer festival gets go-ahead!
All the fun of the festival: Arkell's chairman Peter Arkell getting into the swing of things at the Arkell's Beer Festival 2005
Some of the best cask ales from across the country will be on show at Arkell’s this September when the Swindon-based brewery throws open its gates and welcomes in real ale fans to its 2007 Beer Festival.
The festival, on Saturday 8th September, will feature all Arkell’s regular beers as well as guest beers from many members of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB).
Visitors will also have the unique opportunity to tour around the Kingsdown brewery, one of the finest examples of a Victorian steam brewery anywhere in the world, discover how the brewery works and how real ale is made.
James Arkell, managing director of Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We love inviting people to visit our beautiful brewery, and always turn our beer festivals into celebrations, inviting local jazz bands and other attractions to make it a great day out. We also aim to raise as much money as we can for charity. Most importantly, though, this is a celebration of one of the oldest industries in Britain and certainly the oldest in Swindon. This is part of our country’s heritage, of which we, and our fellow brewers in the IFBB, are very proud indeed.
“The brewing of traditional real ale has changed little over the years and whilst technology has taken over in most other areas of our lives – you can’t ask a computer to brew beer. For that you need a talented head brewer.”
Arkell’s Head brewer, Don Bracher, is also looking forward to the event: “This is a true celebration of real ale, and of some the oldest, traditional, independent breweries in the country - such as Arkell’s. We’re looking forward to tasting the huge range of tastes and flavours that make up cask beers produced from all over Britain.”
Arkell’s last Beer Festival was last held in 2005, when it attracted over 1000 beer enthusiasts from all over Great Britain.
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Bee's Organic is 'Special'
Seasonal delight: Sales Director Nick Arkell and Head Brewer Don Bracher toast Arkell's Organic Ale
When Arkell's Brewery supplied its award-winning Bee's Organic Ale in casks ale for the first time last year as a limited edition for a special event, it proved so popular that the Swindon-based brewery has now decided to add the beer to its regular roster of special, Seasonal Ales.
Now the award-winning ale will been brewed in casks and 500ml bottles and the first barrels will roll out of the brewery in early April.
According to Head Brewer, Don Bracher, who created the beer in October 2001: "There's no difference in how we brew the beer - we still use the same organic ingredients including honey and organic First Gold hops from our supplier in Worcestershire - but instead of being bottle conditioned, it is cask conditioned. This means that the temperature is the same as traditional real ale."
Before going ahead with the cask ale last year, the brewery had to apply for further Soil Association approval before it could be supplied with organic certification.
Nick Arkell, sales director at Arkell's, said: "Very few medium or large breweries sell organic ale in casks, so we are offering a taste of real ale which isn't available everywhere. We were delighted with the vote of approval we received from our customers last year when we produced our first Bee's Organic in casks. It will now take its rightful place on our regular 'specials' list, which means that whilst it won't be one of our regular beers, we will be brewing it from time to time during the year, to give our customers a wider variety of Arkell's Ales."
Launched in 2001, Bee's is Arkell's first organic ale - and has been voted 'Organic Ale of the Year' in a number of awards over the years.
Organically grown malted barley, hops and, unusually, organically produced honey are used in the brew. These give this golden premium ale a light, fresh taste - with the organic honey providing a delightful and surprising flavour. ABV: 4.5%.
More about our Beer
Pub seeks village for meaningful relationship
Searching for the missing pub in your life?: Fox and Hounds Landlady Julie Megarry is opening her doors to you
With so many villages losing their pubs – one pub close to Newbury is offering to fill the void left by other pubs which have closed their doors, and is now looking for a village to call its own.
The Fox and Hounds at Donnington, owned by Arkell’s Brewery, has been bypassed twice, most recently by the Newbury Bypass extension, and its closest village is Chieveley, a couple of miles down the road, but landlady Julia MeGarry wants to offer her pub for adoption, by any local village which will love and cherish it.
“This week CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale), has announced its first Community Pub Week – the only problem is that we don’t have much of a community around here,” said Julia. “So we thought we’d go looking for one. We’re a lovely pub with a heart of gold and good beer, so we think we’re a great catch for any village with a good sense of humour for friendship and enjoyable nights out!”
Whilst The Fox and Hounds is out on it’s own on the Oxford Road at Donnington, it does have a thriving regular trade, but Julia misses the community aspect of running a pub and has taken advantage of Community Pub Week to launch a darts challenge – and she has even found a village idiot.
“One of our locals has agreed to be the village idiot for the week,” she said.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Julia’s a wonderful landlady with a great sense of humour – what a wonderful way to celebrate community pubs week. Any local village looking to adopt a pub would be proud to adopt The Fox and Hounds – especially with Julia behind the bar.”
For villages wishing to apply, contact Julia MeGarry on 01635 40540.
More about The Fox and Hounds, Newbury
New landlord is fishing for support.
Angling for a day off: new White Hart Landlord and Lady Tim and Lyn McAuliffe
Having taken over at Arkell’s pub The White Hart at Cricklade two weeks
ago, the new landlord is not happy.
Tim McAuliffe, a keen course fisherman, has been so busy settling into
Cricklade’s largest hotel that he hasn’t had time to unpack his fishing
rods and go fishing.
He’s also amazed that there isn’t a local fishing club in the town,
something he’s determined to put right as soon as he’s got his feet firmly
behind the bar.
“We’ve moved from running a pub in Goring-on-Thames, where there was a lot of fishing, to Cricklade which is almost surrounded by water and places to fish – I’m amazed there isn’t a thriving circle of fishing enthusiasts getting together here every week. We’ll definitely be putting that right, and I hope local fishing enthusiasts will drop in and let me know whether they would be interested in getting together.”
But having just taken over at the White Hart, it’s just too hectic for Tim and his wife Lyn at this busy town pub. “I don’t think that Lyn would be too impressed if I disappeared down the riverbank just yet.”
Tim and Lyn are seasoned landlords, having run a number of pubs and small
hotels across the south of England – but it’s the first time they’ve worked
in this area.
“We’ve hardly been out of the building because we’ve been so busy getting to know the pub and the people,” said Lyn. “But give me a few weeks and I’ll have found my way around – and Tim will have found the quickest route to the riverbank - and to a new group of fisherman’s friends.”
James Arkell, at pub-owners Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We’re delighted to have welcomed such an experienced couple to take charge of The White Hart and I hope it won’t be too long before Tim does dust down his fishing rods, and discover the delights of fishing at The Cotswold Water Park down the road. The story of ‘the size of the one that got away’ is as good as a pint of Arkell’s.”
More about The White Hart, Cricklade
‘Arch’ rivals become friends!
A successful breakthrough: Arkells directors present Roy Sansum with silver tankard
It took landlord Roy Sansum less than a year to succeed where many others had failed. The friendly rivalry between The George at Kempsford’s lounge and public bars has finally been demolished – along with the wall separating the two.
Now an elegant arch links the two bars, and locals are getting to know each other!
Arkell’s Brewery, which owns the pub, had wanted to update and improve the pub for almost two decades, but had been persuaded not to by the locals who wanted to keep the bars separate – even though it meant those drinking in the public bar had to go outside to get to the toilets.
James Arkell, managing director at the brewery, said: “The last thing we wanted to do was to upset our loyal customers, so even though we wanted to improve the pub, we decided to wait. Eventually, we decided to unleash our secret weapon – Roy Sansum. Roy has been an Arkell’s landlord for twenty years – he’s one of our best, and when he moved to take over The George last year, we knew the customers would soon meet their match.”
As well as being an experienced landlord, Roy is also a keen amateur builder and couldn’t wait to get his hands on the pub.
“There was so much potential, it just needed someone to persuade the customers that it would be a good idea. My brother David and son Matthew are both in the building trade, so I knew they’d help, all I had to do was work on the locals - and as I was here every night behind the bar, I soon wore them down. Even Mickey, one of our most regular customers who said he wouldn’t use the archway to get to the loos, took one look at the wet weather the other day and decided to take the shortest route. Then we knew we’d succeeded!”
Roy points out that locals were used to having the two bars to choose from. Now the pub’s renovations have been completed, old fireplaces opened up and the former off-licence turned into a dining room, they can still chose between bars, but they can commute easily between them too. Roy has also put his carpentry skills to good use by making new dining tables out single pieces of wood which he’d been saving for years.
Last week Arkell’s rewarded his hard work, and his length of service, by presenting him with a silver pint jug.
James said: “If anyone deserves a celebratory pint of Arkell’s, its Roy, so
we hope he’ll make use of his pint jug soon. He’s not only helped us give
the customers the pub they deserve, but he’s kept them all happy too.”
More about The George, Kempsford
Tavern turns into Accident and Emergency Unit after train derailment!
The fourth emergency service: Margaret Wixey outside The Tavern Inn
An Arkell’s pub landlady found herself in the middle of an emergency this week when she threw open her doors to help the wounded after a train derailed just outside a rural railway station and next to her pub.
The 21.52pm Swindon to Cheltenham First Great Western service was heading through a 490-yard tunnel into Kemble station when it hit a mound of mud, just 400 yards from the station, near Cirencester. The first carriage leapt into the air and landed back on the track, knocking out electrics and leaving the passengers in complete darkness. The second carriage hit the rear of the first and came off the rails inside the tunnel.
Landlady Margaret Wixey, said: “The pub is steps away from the station, but the first we knew of the accident was when the police arrives and asked if we could keep the pub open to help the wounded. Of course we did everything we could to help. Local medics arrived and turned the bar into a triage unit, where they were able to assess the passengers for injuries.”
Managing director James Arkell, at Arkell’s Brewery, which owns The Tavern, said: “We’re really proud of the way that Margaret and Dave responded to a very stressful situation. The pub is literally a few steps from the station and they were sensible and efficient – taking the shock of the accident and their support role in helping the emergency services all in their stride. We all thank heavens there were no serious injuries. It’s in situations such as this that we all realise what an essential role rural pubs, like rural post offices, play in their local community.”
Luckily, none of the 30 or so passengers remaining on the train were seriously injured, although Margaret reports that when they arrived at the Arkell’s pub, they were shocked, some disorientated and all were very thirsty, having been incarcerated in the train for over an hour and a half whilst fireman fought to release them. “We made lots of cups of tea and coffee, gave them water and some of them something a little stronger if they asked for it. It was upsetting to hear of their experiences – especially that of the train driver who couldn’t do anything to avoid the landslide. He was frantically calling his wife to tell her that he was OK. Another couple were returning to Gloucester from a holiday in the Maldives.”
For over two and a half hours the pub stayed open whilst Margaret and husband Dave did everything they could to help the medical team.
“We had around 15 passengers in the bar, and when they had been assessed and treated, the railway company laid on taxis to take them home. I have to say they were very efficient.”
Margaret and Dave have been at The Tavern for over two years, but this is the first time they have been called on for such an emergency.
“Whilst it looks like a very small rural railway station, Kemble is very busy,” she explains.
More about The Tavern Inn, Kemble
Landlady pins down pub from Zambia!
Long-serving recognition: Judy Dudley receiving her plaque from Peter Arkell, chairman of Arkell's Brewery
Arkell’s Brewery paid tribute to one of their longest-serving landladies this week when three generations of the brewing family arrived at The Bull Hotel at Fairford to present landlady Judy Dudley with a silver salver.
Judy has so far clocked up 22 years behind an Arkell’s bar; 15 at The Bull Hotel and 7 at The Red Lion at Lechlade.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Judy is always charming, welcoming and very hard working – and she’s passed on these talents to her son Mark and his wife Sheree, who have run the pub alongside her since her husband Keith sadly passed away 12 years ago.”
And it all started in 1985 in Zambi, when Judy and her mining engineer husband, Keith, were deciding where to retire when Keith’s job came to an end.
“We wanted to come home to the UK, but didn’t want to return to the north where we both came from. The Cotswolds were beautiful, and probably a bit warmer, so we stuck a pin in the map and it rested on Fairford.”
It took a few months, and lots of interviews with breweries across the South West, before they found their ideal pub – which happened to be just down the road in Lechlade.
“Arkell’s offered us The Red Lion and we ran it successfully for seven years – in the last year taking over at The Bull at Fairford as well. But The Bull was much bigger and needed all our attention, so we left The Red Lion and concentrated on The Bull, and we’ve been really happy here, it’s a gorgeous hotel, warm and comfortable – just what visitors love about The Cotswolds.”
Sadly for the Dudley family, Keith died twelve years ago, but The Bull continues to thrive.
Judy recalls one of her earliest brewery memories: “When we were doing the rounds of interviews, the Arkell’s interview was at 9am – and we had to drive down from Doncaster, where we were staying. Before we arrived at the brewery, we parked around the corner – and got some very odd looks from the morning commuters who didn’t realise that the couple stripping off in the car were actually just climbing into their interview clothes.”
James Arkell said: “Judy’s one of our most successful landladies and a thoroughly lovely lady. We hope she stays for another 20 years.”
More about The Bull Hotel, Fairford
Arkell’s Draymen roll out the barrel for over 200 years!
Keeping us topped up at Christmas: Arkell's Draymen Trevor Blackford and John Williams
It’s a tough job – but if Swindon wants to celebrate Christmas and New Year properly, someone’s got to do it.
At this time of year, unlike most of the population who are winding down for Christmas and the New Year, Arkell’s nine draymen are flat out delivering beer, wines and spirits to pubs, clubs and hotels across the South West.
Most of the draymen have been with the brewery for over 20 years, with Trevor Blackford clocking up an incredible 36 years driving the highways and byways of England for the brewery, beating his brother Steve by more than ten years on the Arkell’s dray lorry. That’s over 200 years between all nine draymen.
The days start early for the draymen, they leave the brewery with a full load at 6am - but what other job would offer a coffee or a bacon sandwich at every stop along the way?
“Most days we’ll deliver to over a dozen pubs,” said Trevor. “So that’s a lot of tea, coffee or cokes – and more than one snack along the way because the landlords know we can work up an appetite loading and unloading their beer barrels.”
It’s all a very long way from the olden days, when draymen used to drive horse-drawn delivery traps loaded with barrels, having a pint or two at each pub on their delivery route to keep warm in the winter, and relying on their trusty shire horses to return them down the rolling English roads safety back to the brewery when the day’s deliveries were finished.
These days, according to John Williams, transport manager at the Brewery, the draymen can keep warm and safe inside the cabs of one of the five Arkell’s trucks which they will drive around the countryside every day, bar Christmas and Boxing Day.
Trevor said: “My last drink will be before lunch on Boxing Day so I’m ready to deliver the beer on 27th December right through until the New Year.” Luckily, Trevor lives opposite the brewery at Stratton so he doesn’t have to go far to get to work – or get home again afterwards.
Arkell’s run five drays – two 15-tonne lorries and three 14-tonne lorries, each holding around 100 x 11-gallon kegs plus wines and spirits.
John said: “We bought our latest dray earlier this year and each one should last around 15 years – that’s a lot of miles and a lot of beer deliveries to quench the thirst of thousands of Arkell’s customers.”
In fact Trevor reckons that he drives almost 50,000 miles a year for the brewery, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. “I love driving – and you always know they’ll be a warm welcome at each delivery.”
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Not all breweries these days employ their own draymen, but we think it’s essential communication between our landlords and the brewery. Although the directors at Arkell’s visit the pubs regularly, this is the best way to keep in weekly touch – to find out if our customers are happy and things are going well for our landlords. Our draymen don’t just deliver our beer; they area great bush telegraph too.”
More about our Seasonal Beers
Arkell's supports the Prospect Hospice
A retired couple from Purton found themselves the recipients of some early festive cheer when their ticket was pulled from the 43,000 entrants into Prospect Hospice’s 2006 car raffle - by Arkell's managing director James Arkell.
Just the ticket: Arkell's managing director James Arkell is showered by Prospect Hospice tickets!
Mr Arkell, donned in full regalia as vice lord lieutenant for Wiltshire, being showered with tickets while standing in one of the Arkell's huge brewing vessels.
“It’s the first time I have stood in the vat, rather than looking into it, in all my years working here,” he joked.
The winning couple, who have initially expressed a wish to remain anonymous, will now be the proud owners of a brand-new Honda Civic, which was given free-of-charge to the Hospice, and which will be delivered to them in the new year.
John Bennett, director of fundraising at Prospect Hospice, said: “It’s important to remember that there’s more than one winner with this raffle. Of course there’s the lovely couple from Purton, who will soon be receiving a superb, brand–new Honda Civic, but also the many patients we care for, both at the Hospice and in the community through our nursing team.
“We are delighted that our supporters have yet again chosen to support the Hospice through the car raffle and we thank them for their continuing generosity. We also want to thank Arkells’ for being our hosts today.”
More about the Prospect Hospice
The Bear’s necessities get a makeover in Marlborough!
The Bear back to its best: The Bear licensee Trevor Stannard with Arkell's managing director James Arkell
One of Marlborough’s most popular town centre pubs, The Bear, has had a £100,000 makeover, including a refurbished interior and a new loo complex, including disabled toilets.
The Bear, owned by Swindon-based Arkell’s Brewery, is best known in the town for its real ale, live music and fish and chips and is an unashamed drinkers pub which does good food – not a foodie pub which serves drink, as so many other pubs are becoming in the town.
Licensee Trevor Stannard, who has only been landlord for 14 weeks, but has worked at the pub for years, said: “The work has really improved the pub. It’s lighter and feels more spacious thanks to some creative interior design by Arkell’s design team.”
But Trevor’s added his own unique design ideas too. The walls of the bars are covered with more than 100 photographs of rock stars and footballers from the 1960s to today.
George Arkell, at Arkell’s Brewery, which owns the pub, said: “The Bear is a gorgeous 17th Century pub –once called The Bear and Castle - and from the outside some people say it looks like a Galleon. We’ve wanted to update it for a while, but as parts of it are listed, we’ve had to do a lot of planning to make sure our work enhances the building as well as providing vital new facilities for customers.”
Arkell’s had its work cut out to make this historic pub more accessible in line with Government regulations. Like many 17 century buildings it’s on so many levels with steps everywhere.
“Luckily there is one access where a wheelchair can come straight off the street into the bar, and from there we can make an easy access to other facilities,” explained Trevor.
Arkell’s Brewery has also submitted a planning application for a smoking area in The Bear’s courtyard behind the bar.
George said: “It is likely that there will be a smoking ban in all UK pubs next August, so we are rolling out a programme of covered smoking areas in many of our pubs. As a brewery we are pro-choice, not pro-smoking and want to offer areas within our pubs which suit everyone.”
More about the Bear Hotel, Marlborough
Sunday lunch is The Bee’s Knees for Jack!
That's service for you!: Jack Taylor tucking into his Sunday lunch with Bee's Knees landlady Sharon Scriven.
When 80-year old Jack Taylor can’t make it to his local on a Sunday lunchtime, the pub comes to him!
Jack Taylor, who lives at Nursery Court in Cirencester, has been drinking at The Bee’s Knee’s in Watermoor, Cirencester for four years ever since his local closed down, and visits the pub regularly, especially enjoying landlady Sharon Scriven’s Sunday lunch.
But when he was unable to get to the pub because of ill-health, landlords Nigel and Sharon decided to make sure that he still got his lunch.
“When we heard that he couldn’t make it to the pub, we thought we’d take the pub to him,” she said. “We’re not offering a ‘meals on wheels’ service for everyone, but Jack enjoyed his meal so much that we felt it was the least we could do. He still comes in during the week, but when he can’t make the weekends, we make sure he doesn’t go without a good, square meal provided by Bee’s Knees.”
Jack is delighted with his regular Sunday delivery: "Sharon is just great and her meals are wonderful - especially the puddings," he said.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery which owns the Bee’s Knee’s, said: “Nigel and Sharon’s thoughtfulness towards Jack is fantastic, especially delivering a lunch personally at one of their busiest times of the week. It’s good to know that this local pub is still just where it should be - at the centre of the community.”
More about the Bee's Knees, Cirencester
Arkell’s pulls the plug on high wi-fi costs!
Free Internet Access!: Director of managed houses Craig Titchener outside Arkell's newest pub The Bear Hotel, Wantage
Arkell’s Brewery is installing free wireless access into many of its managed houses.
As many national hotel chains fight to retain highly profitable revenues once achieved through high-margin hotel phone charges by charging top rates for wireless access, Arkells Brewery has installed WiFi into six of its managed houses, and will roll it out to more if the trial proves a success.
Craig Titchener, managed house director at Swindon-based Arkell’s said: “Hotel guests are increasingly expecting facilities such as WiFi, and it is relatively cost-effective to install, so unlike many of the larger hotel chains, we don’t seek to profit from providing what is fast becoming an indispensable part of working away on business.”
Keith Burke, barman at The Tawny Owl, Swindon, where WiFi was installed in September, said: “Customers use it to access their emails through the internet both in the lounge bar and the letting rooms. They were delighted when it became available, even more so when they realised they didn’t have to pay for it. It’s a winner for us.”
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We’re surprised that so many of the larger hotel chains charge so much for internet access when it’s so easy and low-cost to install. Whilst we would obviously prefer our customers to break free from the daily grind and relax when they visit any of our pubs or hotels, we recognise that in the 24/7 world of business, life often isn’t that simple anymore – at least mixing business with pleasure is a lot cheaper at an Arkell’s managed pub.”
Wi-Fi is currently available at the following Arkell’s managed houses:
The Tawny Owl, North Swindon
The Bear, Wantage
The Crown, Stratton, Swindon
The King’s Arms, Chipping Norton
The Moonrakers, Swindon
The White Hart, Cricklade
More about our Wi-Fi Pubs
Arkell's Brunel Winners get Trained!
16 cheers for Brunel!: Competition winners with Head Brewer Don Bracher and Director Nick Arkell
Arkell’s Brewery welcomed the sixteen winners of its Brunel anniversary competition off the train on Saturday for a tour around the brewery followed by lunch at the Kingsdown pub, opposite the brewery.
The winners, who came from across the country by train courtesy of First Great Western, had correctly answered the Arkell’s Brewery/First Great Western competition questions, based on Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s engineering achievements, to celebrate his 200th anniversary this year. The competition was open to all rail travellers on the First Great Western line between London Paddington and the South West.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “This was Arkell’s personal tribute to Brunel and the thousands of workers to contributed to his engineering achievements.”
Arkell’s link with railway operators such as First Great Western goes back to the early 20th century when Arkell’s ale, and other local food and drink, was served both on the train buffets and on Paddington Station. Last year, keen to reintroduce local food and drink back on its trains, First Great Western began stocking a range of regionally-produced food and drink into its train buffets again, including cans of Arkell’s 3Bs real ale.
Nick Arkell, sales director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We’re delighted that First Great Western is offering a range of locally-produced food and drink on their trains. This was a wonderful chance for those who drank our beer on their journeys to come and see how it was made.”
More about our Brewery
Simon finds not one Angel – but two!
Heavenly Touch: The new Landlord and Landlady, Simon Martin and Lisa Chappel at The Angel, Purton
Fifteen years trucking on the open road stopped abruptly when Simon Martin met Lisa Chappel.
And two year’s later they’ve found another Angel together when they took over The Angel pub at Purton earlier this month.
“I loved working as a truck driver, but when I met Lisa I knew it was time to stop and settle down,” said Simon. “The problem was that after a decade and a half of driving for a living, if I wanted to stay in one place, I needed to find another career. Having met Lisa, I knew I wanted to be with her, so running a pub seemed like the perfect solution. Here, we’re living and working together.”
Simon grew up in the pub trade – his parents had run pubs in Worcestershire and Swindon so he knew the ropes already. Lisa was also experienced as her family had run a hotel and her mum was a cordon bleu chef.
“All we needed to do was find a lovely pub – and we were really lucky to be offered The Angel, by owners Arkell’s Brewery. It’s fantastic – especially for Lisa’s two boys who have enrolled at Purton primary school, which is just over the wall at the end of our car park!”
Lisa adds: “Running a pub isn’t all romance, of course, it’s hard work and long hours, but the villagers have been really welcoming and it’s amazing how much is going on around here. This week alone we’ve had the local water dowsing society and Purton yacht club – and the local amateur dramatic society had their Oscars event here a week or so ago! We’ve been in here for a few weeks and we’re still unpacking boxes, but I don’t mind – I’d rather be settling into a new life getting to know the villagers than filling the wardrobes and drawers upstairs.”
Simon said: “Our new pub might not have roses growing around the door, but it’s certainly got an Angel behind the bar!”
More about the Angel in Purton
It’s organic ale, Jim – but not as we know it!
Now available in casks: Sales Director Nick Arkell and Head Brewer Don Bracher toast Arkell's Organic Ale
Arkell’s organic ale in casks received the thumbs up from real ale lovers last weekend when the brewery supplied a special limited edition brew for an organic country fair near Cirencester.
It’s the first time that the award-winning ale has been brewed in casks instead of in 500ml bottles, and the brewery had to apply for further Soil Association approval before it could be supplied with organic certification.
According to Head Brewer, Don Bracher, who created the beer in October 2001: “There’s no difference in how we brew the beer – we still use the same organic ingredients including honey and organic First Gold hops from our supplier in Worcestershire – but instead of being bottle conditioned, it’s cask conditioned. This means that the temperature is the same as traditional real ale.”
After selling well at The Ragged Hedge Fair, extra barrels of cask-conditioned Organic Bee’s are now on sale at The Kingsdown pub, opposite the Brewery at Stratton.
Nick Arkell, sales director at Arkell’s, said: “Very few medium or large breweries sell organic ale in casks, simply because the market is fairly small. But when we were asked especially by Will and Hilary Chestermaster, who hold their ‘alternative’ country fair every few years, and sell the bottled Bees Organic in their organic shop, Abbey Home Farm, we were delighted to take up the challenge.”
Launched in 2001, Bee's is Arkell's first organic ale - and has been voted 'Organic Ale of the Year' in a number of awards over the years.
Organically grown malted barley, hops and, unusually, organically produced honey are used in the brew. These give this golden premium bottled ale a light, fresh taste - with the organic honey providing a delightful and surprising flavour. ABV: 4.5%.
More about Arkell's Beer
Arkell’s sunflowers are a tall story at The Rat Trap
Up, up and away!: Landlords Claire and Mark feeding the Rat Trap sunflowers
It’s no tall story – Arkell’s Ale makes things grow longer.
At the beginning of the summer, Swindon-based real ale Brewery, Arkell’s, threw a competition open to all their landlords to grow the tallest sunflower, supplying them with the seeds.
More than 30 Arkell’s pubs took part – but Mark and Claire Richardson, helped by their 11-year old daughter Amelia, decided to conduct a scientific experiment at their Swindon pub The Rat Trap, by feeding one of the sunflowers with water and one with Arkell’s Ales – and guess which one came out towering over 4’ taller and still growing? The Arkell’s one of course!
The Arkell’s sunflower is still growing – and the Richardsons are hoping that it might reach the 16’ height achieved by the St James’ Hotel in Cheltenham – another Arkell’s pub which fed its sunflower on a pint of Arkell’s Summer Ale every Sunday night.
Mark said: “Arkell’s head brewer, Don Bracher, suggested that we feed the sunflower with old beer (ullage), so that’s what we did – mixed with a little water. It’s SO much better than plant food and I expect it’s all the beer’s natural ingredients that help it grow – the yeast, malt and barley. If a pint of Arkell’s 3Bs has that effect on a sunflower, imagine what it does for the drinker!”
Mark points out that it doesn’t like lager – they’ve tried. “Perhaps it doesn’t like the bubbles,” he said.
More about The Rat Trap
Sunflower wins on Summer Ale
Sweet sixteen: St James' Hotel manager Graham Townley (l) with his father, Bill, admiring their sunflowers
The St James’ Hotel on Ambrose Street is celebrating winning the 2006 Arkell’s Brewery tallest Sunflower competition.
The Sunflower, which measures 16’ 1” has been lovingly grown since March by landlord Graham Townley, with help from his dad Bill.
Graham said: “We planted some seeds in beer crates, put it them our sunny back yard at the hotel and watered them regularly. Every Sunday evening we fed them a pint of Summer Ale and dad also helped things along by adding another secret natural ingredient – which he won’t disclose. We’re not sure which special ingredient helped our sunflowers grow – but there are about 8 of them and they’ve all grown to at least 11’.”
George Arkell, at Arkell’s Brewery, who organised the competition, said: “It’s obviously the fresh malt, barley and yeast which helps the pub’s sunflowers grow to their great height – the stem of the winning sunflower looks as wide as a small tree – it’s amazing. Graham and Bill have put a huge amount of effort into growing their sunflowers and they really do cheer up a town centre pub.”
More than 20 Arkell’s pubs took part in the competition – with The Rat Trap in Swindon coming second, and The Adam and Eve in Townsend Street Cheltenham coming third.
More about The St James' Hotel
Disabled Loo fit for a Lord – and a King
New facilities: Arkell's director George Arkell with Ben Lord and Nicola King
The Thameshead Inn near Cirencester was flushed with success yesterday when landlords Ben Lord and Nicola King officially opened the Arkell’s pub’s new loo complex, which includes a new disabled loo.
Ben, who is disabled himself after a motorbike accident some years ago, said: “I’m particularly delighted to be able to offer the new disabled loo facility to our customers as many rural pubs and inns don’t yet have disabled access.”
Over the last decade local brewery Arkell’s has been regularly adding disabled loos to its estate of pubs, long before the Disability Discrimination Act became law last year. Currently around half of the brewery’s estate of just over 103 pubs now have full disabled access, with more pubs constantly under renovation.
According to CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale), 20 rural pubs across Britain are closing every month, and as the Government heaps more legislation on the leisure industry, and on small businesses, it is getting more and more difficult for rural pubs in particular to survive.
George Arkell, director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Almost one third of our estate of 103 pubs and inns are in rural areas, so we are particularly keen to provide customers with the facilities they expect, but it can be difficult installing disabled access into rural pubs, because many of the buildings are so old that they don’t lend themselves to the extensive renovation often required.”
He added: “Every time we install new disabled loos, it costs the brewery around £100,000, but there’s no doubt it’s a highly worthwhile investment, opening up opportunities for more people to enjoy a most traditional British pastime - a meal and a pint at their local.”
Arkell’s is also trialling one of its first covered smoking area outside The Thameshead after MPs voted in February this year to ban smoking from all pubs and private clubs in England. The ban is expected to take effect next Summer.
George said: “Whilst we don’t particularly condone smoking, we do feel that people should be free to choose how they enjoy their trip to the pub, and this offers a solution that caters for smokers’ needs whilst keeping the bar smoke-free.”
More about The Thameshead Inn
What a bloomer at the White Hart
Bloomin' marvellous: Manager Tim Howell amongst the White Harts prize winning flowers
The White Hart at Cricklade is celebrating winning an unexpected award for its floral display this year from Cricklade Town Council.
Landlord Philip Britton said: “We were delighted to hear that we’d received the award – it was a surprise as no-one was invited to enter formally, it was just based on the expert opinions of Cricklade Town Council and local florists Bloomers when they toured the town.
“Flowers cheer every one up and make a different to any business, although it’s been difficult keeping them in bloom this year because of the lack of rain – but there’s always a bit of spare water and they love real ale, which acts as a natural nutrient I expect. They also enhance our pretty town of Cricklade and attract the tourists.”
Brewery director, George Arkell, said: “Last year some councils across the country told local businesses they couldn’t hang baskets because of ‘Health and Safety’ issues. Luckily, our local councils dind't and we’ve got pubs across Swindon and Wiltshire with hanging baskets which enhance the environment. We’d thought of running a special Arkell’s pubs hanging basket competition, but all the pubs hanging baskets are so stunning that we wouldn’t have been able to choose between them and would have had to give everyone a prize."
The White Hart at Cricklade won a garden centre voucher from Cricklade Town Council. “We’re very grateful for the voucher, which will help towards next year’s floral display,” said Philip.
More about The White Hart, Cricklade
Help us Save our Sign, says Saracen’s Head
Pointing the way: Arkell's managed house director Craig Titchener with Saracen's landlord Adrian Mitchell.
Arkell’s Brewery, which owns The Saracen’s Head, one of Highworth’s oldest and most beautiful buildings, is appealing against a decision by Swindon Borough Council’s Planning Department which has refused permission to leave a traditional wooden pub sign at the rear of the hotel.
Brewery managing director, James Arkell, maintains that the directional sign is improving road safety as it stands on a nasty convex bend signalling the car park entrance so people can safely enter and exit.
James said: “The free-standing, hand-painted sign, which is unlit, stands in front of an ugly, but essential, electricity substation allowed on brewery land some years ago, opposite the entrance to The Saracens Head car park. We put the sign up as a service to customers, and we are disappointed that the planners have asked us to take it down.”
Over the years, Arkell’s Brewery, which also owns The Fox Inn in the town where the old forge was located, has always supported Highworth, helping civic improvements and giving land to the town when asked to do so. Recently the brewery installed new disabled loos into The Saracen’s Head and renovated the courtyard to help keep the town centre alive and boost local visitors.
“We believe that thriving small towns are key to the economic success of our rural communities, so we try to support and enhance the local environment,” said James, whose family has lived in and around Highworth since 1852. “This decision by the planners appears to be unreasonable. The sign enhances a busy area on the road behind the hotel and adds to local road safety without compromising Highworth’s Grade 2 appearance.”
Adrian Mitchell, landlord at The Saracen’s Head, has started a petition and is encouraging local townspeople to come and sign up to ‘Save our Sign’.
More about The Saracen's Head
Sign of the Times at Moonrakers
Back in its rightful place: Arkell’s managed houses director, Craig Titchener, putting back up The Moonrakers' sign.
Fifteen months after it was taken down for renovation, the pub sign of one of Swindon’s most iconic pubs has been restored to its rightful place.
Arkell’s managed houses director, Craig Titchener, went up the ladder at The Moonrakers yesterday and put the final nails in place–cheered on by loud toots from approving motorists driving through one of Swindon’s busiest and most well-known crossroads at Stratton into the town centre
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “It took a local man over a year to rebuild the sign because it’s very unusual. We feel strongly that it’s part of Swindon’s heritage and I always remember it as a boy, so we were keen to keep the pub sign tradition alive and replaced however much it cost. Like the Magic Roundabout in the town, everyone knows The Moonrakers crossroads and we received a lot of questions whilst the sign was being repaired, asking us when it was going back up.”
The sign, made of tin, has probably been up for fifty years – ever since the pub received its first license in 1953. Then the pub, first built as a club in 1931, was renamed The Moonrakers after the famous Wiltshire legend of the Moon Rakers – country folk who fooled excise men into thinking they were simple-minded enough to be trying to rake the moon’s reflection from a pond when they were really recovering smuggled illegal liquor from its hiding place.
“With a building as distinctive as the Moonrakers, the last thing we want to do now is hide from anyone,” said James. “The renovated sign announces that The Moonrakers, recently renovated itself, is proud to be part of Swindon’s rich heritage.
More information on The Moonrakers
Customers urged to ‘Bear Up’ during pub refurbishment
Undergoing refurbishment: New landlord Trevor Stannard outside The Bear in Marlborough.
One of Marlborough’s most popular town centre pubs, The Bear, will be undergoing a radical refurbishment over the next 12 weeks– but new landlord Trevor Stannard won’t be shutting up shop.
“The Bear is being brought into the 21 century with new disabled loos, a new kitchen and redecoration throughout, so my customers will have to ‘Bear’ with us during the building work,” he said.
George Arkell, at Arkell’s Brewery, which owns the pub, said: “The Bear is a gorgeous 17th Century pub –once called The Bear and Castle - and from the outside some people say it looks like a Galleon. We’ve wanted to update it for a while, but as parts of it are listed, we’ve had to do a lot of planning to make sure our work enhances the building as well as providing vital new facilities for customers.”
Arkell’s has got its work cut out to make this historic pub more accessible in line with Government regulations. Like many 17 century buildings it’s on so many levels with steps everywhere.
“Luckily there is one access where a wheelchair can come straight off the street into the bar, and from there we can make an easy access to other facilities,” explained Trevor, who took over behind the bar just last week.”
Over the last decade, Arkell’s has invested more than £3 million installing disabled access and toilet facilities into many of its pubs - many years before the Government made it compulsory to do so.
According to George: “We’ve always taken the view that everyone has the right to enjoy a great pint and good food in a traditional pub, so we make it as easy to do so as possible by improving access where we can. Obviously with some of our more historic and architecturally challenging pubs this is difficult, but we generally find a way around the problem. The Bear is a really busy, town centre pub and luckily it’s got a ‘spare’ bar in the skittle alley so even when the decorators are in the main bars, Trevor will be open for business – and he might even throw in a game of skittles for free!”
The refurbishment of The Bear starts on 15th August and finished mid November, just in time for the festive season.
More information on The Bear, Marlborough
Arkell’s Summer Ale goes to the Great British Beer Festival
The taste of summer: Arkell's Summer Ale, set to star at the Great British Beer Festival.
Arkell’s will be showcasing two of its most popular real ales: Summer Ale and 3Bs at this year’s Great British Beer Festival, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) at Earls Court in London from 1-5th August
The beers will be available at the special Family Brewers bar, supported by CAMRA because of the key role family brewers play in their community, providing local flavour for consumers and tourists alike rather than the national beer brands which can be found on every high street.
Managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, James Arkell, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate our unique British brewing traditions alongside other great beers from across the country. I understand that this year there will be around 450 different types of ale from across the country – and hundreds more from abroad so visitors will be able to pick from a true diversity of tastes, colours and flavours.
“We chose to send 3Bs because it’s our best known and best selling beer, and Summer Ale because it’s been so phenomenally successful this year.”
Arkell’s 3Bs, or Best Bitter Beer as it was first known, was first brewed in 1910. Today, 3Bs is a superb, amber brew with a very distinctive taste and a sweet scent of malt beneath the hops. Pale malt makes up 88% of the dry ingredients along with 10% crystal malt and 2% sugar. According to the 'Real Ale Drinker's Almanac', 3B has ‘delicate, beautifully balanced malt and hop with lingering dry finish and hint of nut’.
Summer Ale was first brewed in 1994 as one of the brewery’s earliest ‘seasonal’ ales, launched in response to demands for an ale more suitable for the season. The 4% alcohol by volume light-coloured beer is brewed from specially selected malted barley and continental Styrian Golding hops. The Styrian hops give the beer a pleasant hop flavour without the characteristic bitterness of a typical pint.
More information on the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival
Arkell’s pays tribute to the great ‘Brew’-nel
Fitting tribute: Arkell's Barry Hunt, Nick Arkell and head brewer Don Bracher
Britain knows its Brunel – and its beer. That’s the message that came back from over 95% of the respondents who correctly answered the Arkell’s Brewery/First Great Western competition questions, based on Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s engineering achievements, to celebrate his 200th anniversary this year.
Winners, whose names were drawn out of an Arkell's beer barrel this week, came from across England and Wales. Brewery tour winners names are listed below.
The competition ran on First Great Western train services and in Arkell’s pubs in May and June this year with prizes including trips around Arkell’s historic steam-powered brewery in Swindon and rail travel, courtesy of First Great Western.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We couldn’t let such an important anniversary go by without paying our own, personal tribute to the great man. To a large extent, Arkell’s exists because of Brunel. If he hadn’t based his engineering works in the small settlement of Swindon, close to the Arkell’s family farm, then in 1843 the first John Arkell wouldn’t have thought to use his excess barley harvest towards making beer as there wouldn’t have been enough people to sell it to.”
Arkell’s link with railway operators such as First Great Western goes back to the early 20th century when Arkell’s ale, and other local food and drink, was served both on the train buffets and on Paddington Station. Last year, keen to reintroduce local food and drink back on its trains, First Great Western began stocking a range of regionally-produced food and drink into its train buffets again, including cans of Arkell’s 3Bs real ale.
Paul Hinsley, First Great Western's Head of Catering, says: "Arkell's and First Great Western have reasons to be grateful to Brunel and this competition is an excellent way of celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth."
The first ten winners of the Arkell’s First Great Western Brunel Bonanza competition are:
R D Green, Highworth
R Thomas, Newbury
F Chapman, Swansea
A Lavers, Burcot, Oxfordshire
C Marriage, Hermitage, Thatcham
S Clarke, Malmesbury
D Price, London SN20
A Guy, Stoke Climsland, Plymouth
E Coyle, Didcot
J Cox, Kemble, Cirencester
The above will all be invited to tour Arkell’s Brewery in September 2006, with train travel included. A further 50 further entrants pulled out of the barrel will receive a case of Arkell’s 3Bs real ale
More about The Arkell's history
We’re still open, say Bell Landlords
We're still open, say Bell Landlords: Jenny and Peter Gill
Jenny and Peter Gill, landlords at Arkell's pub The Bell, Purton Stoke near Cricklade experienced a massive drop in trade last week after the closure of the road outside their pub and Wiltshire County Council's failure to put up signs to indicate the pub was still open and accessible.
11 days later they were still waiting for the Council to put up promised signs indicating that The Bell, and neighbouring Blackthorn Centre, were still open for business, despite part of the B4553 between Cricklade and Swindon being closed to traffic for four months due to necessary bridge repairs.
Eventually Peter got so fed up with daily visits from the Council contractor promising signs, but not actually delivering them, that he commissioned his own signs and plans to send the bill to the council.
Peter said: "Running a rural business is difficult enough, but for a rural pub to lose four month's worth of trade in its peak season is a potential disaster. As the weather improved, we were just starting to see our summer trade build up – for it to be cut down again when the building contractors moved in without notice. The Council seemed completely oblivious to our plight."
He added: "Wiltshire County Council sent notice of the road closure – but to the previous tenants, who moved out over a year ago, so the first we knew of the road closure was when they turned up with barriers. What surprises me is that they knew we held the license as they granted it to us when the new licensing laws came in a few months ago – so why didn't they have our correct address on their files?"
George Arkell, at Arkells Brewery which owns The Bell, said: "Peter and Jenny are great licensees and did everything they could to notify the Council of their situation."
Peter said: "I just want everyone to know that The Bell's open, welcoming and, for four months only, a much more peaceful destination than it's ever been before."
The exterior of The Bell is about to be repainted as it will be hosting Purton Stoke's summer fete on 5th August, and holding an evening barbeque for all locals and customers.
More about The Bell
Arkell’s landlords go from pubs to clubs
Arkell's golf tournament winner: Steve Richardson and Arkell's managing director James Arkell with the prize trophy
Steve Richardson, Landlord at The Victoria Inn, Eastleach near Cirencester beat over 60 players and picked up the Landlord’s Cup at this year’s Arkell’s Golf Day, held at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club near Swindon last week.
Local brewery Arkell’s has held an annual golf day for more than 30 years, when landlords and free trade customers leave their pubs and pick up their clubs for a day’s friendly competition.
Steve is a keen golfer and a member of the Cirencester Golf club. He said: “I was delighted to have won and the trophy will take pride of place at The Victoria. I’m sure my fellow golfers at The New Victorian Golf Society, the pub’s own 30-strong golf society which we founded six years ago, will be very proud!”
More about The Victoria at Eastleach
Arkell’s ‘Bear’s’ All with its biggest hotel purchase yet
New addition to the Arkell's stable: Arkell's managing director James Arkell and director George Arkell outside The Bear Hotel, Wantage
Swindon-based family brewers Arkell’s Brewery has purchased Wantage’s largest hotel this week – its first purchase in the Oxfordshire market town.
Paying in excess of £1.75 million for The Bear, an historic 37-bedroomed hotel overlooking the marketplace, the family brewery has already introduced Arkell’s most popular real ale, 3Bs, into the bar.
Brewery Managing Director, James Arkell, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have bought The Bear, a really wonderful hotel with a strong year-round local trade. With 37 bedrooms, it’s now the biggest hotel we own – and the only one with a lift!
"Wantage is a very pretty town, a recognised tourist destination and the 16th century Bear Hotel is a regional landmark. As our first purchase in the town, we are looking forward to getting to know the people of Wantage."
James added: “The Bear fits well into our tied estate footprint, which runs from Gloucestershire in the north through Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and down into Hampshire. The Bear is one of an increasingly rare breed of town centre hotels that provides quality accommodation to visitors and residents, including a restaurant and conference rooms, but is as welcoming to locals who regularly drink in the bar.
"We own a number of similar hotels and pubs across the area, because we recognise that visitors staying at such hotels enjoy meeting local people, rather than staying in a hotel which plays little part in its immediate surroundings. It’s all part of the local experience, which is what Arkell’s, as a 163-year old family brewery, is all about.”
At 163 years old, Arkell’s Brewery is one of only 32 family breweries left in the United Kingdom.
The Brewery was established as an offshoot of the family farm, located on the outskirts of Swindon, at around the same time as Isambard Kingdom Brunel began building his locomotive and carriage works for the Great Western Railway.
Chairman Peter Arkell, now over eighty years old, still works at the brewery with his son James as managing director, and James’ son George as director and with the birth of George’s baby son earlier this year the family tradition looks like continuing. But the Arkell’s aren’t the only family to have worked at the brewery for generations – many of the brewery staff have made family careers in the business also - working there thirty years or more.
Arkell’s has always acknowledged that the perfect pint is best enjoyed in comfortable surroundings, and often accompanies a good meal, so the brewery invests heavily in its estate of over 100 pubs, constantly maintaining and updating.
Today, Arkell’s is a real ale brewery brewing mostly cask ale and employing around 55 staff at its Kingsdown brewery near Swindon.
More about The Bear Hotel
Inside Out at The Saracen’s Head!
Arkell’s answer to the smoking ban: the new outside smoking area at The Saracen's Head, Highworth.
Arkell’s Brewery unveiled its answer to the smoking ban this week at The Saracen’s Head, Highworth.
The brewery has redeveloped the patio behind the pub installing large umbrellas, incorporating patio heaters, and painted and decorated the area. The new area also incorporates music speakers and will offer TV which customers can watch whilst enjoying an alfresco pint.
James Arkell, managing director at the brewery, said: “The smoking ban is likely to come into force next Summer when smoking will not be allowed in an enclosed or substantially enclosed public space. We’re not particularly pro-smoking, but we are definitely pro-choice and we want to offer our customers an area where they could light up without affecting others.”
Customers at The Saracen’s head certainly seem to like the new patio and landlord Adrian Mitchell says it’s being used more than the bar and lounge. “From our point of view it’s perfect,” he said. “The lounge bar is completely clear of smoke and the few people that are smoking can continue to do so without offending others.”
James added: “We have always aimed to create an attractive environment for our customers and for more than a decade we did this through improving air quality in our pubs and investing thousands of pounds installing industrial-quality air conditioning systems. However, now the Government is forcing the issue we are working to develop attractive areas outside the pubs and The Saracen’s Head is the first such project we’ve completed. Over the next few months we’ll be installing similar areas in a number of our other pubs.”
More about The Saracen's Head
Party animals move into the Moonrakers!
New at the Moonrakers: Nick and Debbie Sharpe.
One of Swindon’s most well-known and iconic pubs, The Moonrakers, has new faces behind the bar who can’t wait to set the pub rocking with a stream of events.
Debbie and Nick Sharpe moved from The Liden Arms to The Moonrakers, both Arkell’s pubs, after Debbie decided that she wanted a bigger challenge.
“Moving to The Moonrakers is really exciting. It’s a huge challenge, but as we love organising parties and The Moonies is one of the biggest pubs in Swindon, we can’t wait to get started,” said Debbie.
Their first event is planned for the August bank holiday weekend. “We’re going to have a party in the (car) park,” explained Debbie. “Bouncy castles, roundabouts and everything we can think of. Everyone will be welcome – and children especially because they’re not allowed into The Moonies on a regular basis as we feel it’s a ‘grown-up’ pub.”
For Debbie’s husband, Nick, taking over at The Moonrakers is like returning to his teenage haunts. “I grew up around here and know the territory well,” he said. “But the pub’s changed completely since I used to drink here – and for the better too. No more dark corners, just one of the biggest bars in Swindon and a great atmosphere. I’m glad to be back.”
Before their home-grown party, however, like lots of other Swindon pubs, the Moonrakers is gearing itself up for the World Cup.
“There’s no point organising a party when England’s playing,” said Debbie. “The customers will be glued to the big screen. I think I’d better buy myself a pair of ear-muffs!”
More about The Moonrakers
Forget the World Cup in the Arms of the Carpenter
There won’t be many World Cup Free zones when it starts next month – but The Carpenter’s Arms at South Marston is one pub which will definitely not be offering football on the Big Screen.
But that’s not because landlord Bob Feal-Martinez doesn’t like his footie – he represented Great Britain in two international competitions a few years ago when he played for Surrey-based Hersham United when it was selected by the Football Association to play at the 25th Liberation of Holland celebrations!
World Cup Free Zone: the Carpenters Arms, South Marston
“I enjoy football very much – but I think we’ll get enough of it everywhere else, so I’m willing to wave goodbye to the football fanatics for a few weeks and offer The Carpenter’s Arms as an oasis of calm,” he joked.
“Swindon’s gone football crazy – like practically everywhere else in the country, and although it’s almost our national sport there are some people, however surprising it might sound, who haven’t got a clue and don’t give a Wembley about Wayne’s toes, Sven’s strategy, Beckham’s brilliance or the new baby on the block – Theo Walcott.”
So if you don’t want to know the latest World cup gossip or the front runners, The Carpenter’s Arm’s is waiting for you!
More about The Carpenters Arms
Summer Ale surge as sun shines!
Seasonal favourite: Arkell's Summer Ale - now available extra chilled
Sales of Arkell’s Summer Ale have gone through the roof as the sun finally breaks through across the country.
The Swindon brewery has boosted production by 25% over the last two weeks and is gearing up for an even bigger increase as sales continue to rise across its 103 pubs.
“We were taken a little by surprise by the sudden increase in sales,” said managing director James Arkell. “Perhaps it’s the summer sunshine, or our new bar bunting combined with the anticipation of the World Cup? Or maybe it’s the rather large new sunflower pump clip design we’ve given to all our landlords?
"Personally, I think it’s probably that everyone loves a blooming good beer!”
Arkell’s Summer Ale was first brewed in 1994 as one of the brewery’s earliest ‘seasonal’ ales, launched in response to demands for a lighter ale suitable for the season. The 4% alcohol by volume light-coloured beer is brewed from specially selected malted barley and continental Styrian Golding hops. The Styrian hops give the beer a pleasant hop flavour without the characteristic bitterness of a typical pint of Arkell’s beer.
This year, for the first time, the brewery is trialing Extra Chilled Summer Ale in five of its pubs across Swindon.
James Arkell added: “Traditionally, real ale was served at room temperature and landlords serving it cold would have been severely admonished by their customers. Now, we and other real ale breweries serve it at ‘cellar temperature’. However, times and tastes move on and many beers are served very cold indeed. So with summer finally upon us we thought we’d trial it at some of our pubs across Swindon and see what our customers have to say about it.”
Arkell’s pubs taking part in the Summer Ale Extra-Chilled trial are:
The Sun, Coate Water
The Kingsdown, Stratton
The Tawny Owl, North Swindon
The Crown, Stratton
The White Hart, Cricklade
More about our Seasonal Ales
Landlord campaigns for the buses!
Return to The Duke, please!: Landlord Neil Hannis at the bus stop right outside The Duke Hotel.
With a bus stop right outside The Duke at Hilmarton, and buses running hourly from early morning through to after last orders at night from Swindon to Chippenham, landlord Neil Hannis, a former policeman who swapped the mean streets of Leicester for the rural delights of Wiltshire, is urging his customers to go ‘on the buses’.
“They’re frequent, clean and the last one leaves twenty minutes after closing time,” he said. “What could be more convenient?”
Neil took over at Arkell’s pub The Duke, Hilmarton just a year ago with his wife Julie, and they’ve spent the last 12 months revitalizing this pretty country pub.
“We love it – although we recognise that rural pubs aren’t having the easiest time at the moment – especially with the poor early summer weather,” he said. “But we’re luckier than most because we’ve got a great local trade from Hilmarton village and the fantastic, regular bus services of the 54, 55 and 55A. I just don’t see why more people don’t use the bus service. It runs from Swindon through Wootton Bassett along the A3102 to Calne and Chippenham right through the day, so those people who want to spend a pleasant lunchtime in the country only have to hop on the bus and they can be home in time for tea.”
It’s easier to travel by public transport that many people think: Last year, the winners of Arkell’s Brewery ‘Great Adventure” traveled to almost all the brewery’s 103 pubs of which around one third are in rural areas, by bus or train.
Matt Pocock, who won the competition with his friend Kate Waylen, said: “It was good to find that all the bus timetables were reliable and got us where we wanted to go when we wanted to go. I don’t know why more people don’t use their rural bus system – it’s surprisingly efficient.”
George Arkell at Arkells’ Brewery agrees. He said: “The great thing about public transport is that you can eat, drink and be merry – and be able to get home safely. I think we should start a campaign: Bus to the Pub – it’s the green alternative and there’s no danger of being over the limit!"
More about The Duke Hotel
Not Ready for Pipe and Slippers yet!
Putting off retirement: New Borough Arms' landlords Gary and Amanda Farrell
Having sold two successful retail businesses in the last year, and seen their two daughters through school, Gary and Amanda Farrell have shunned retirement for a few years and instead given themselves a new lease of life by taking over at one of Arkell’s oldest pubs, The Borough Arms in Wootton Bassett High Street.
“We sold our successful Video/DVD rental business earlier this year, and another retail business a few month’s later, but we’re so used to working that we needed a new challenge, so we approached Arkell’s Brewery and were rewarded with The Borough Arms,” said Gary.
Not content with taking on a new challenge as landlords, Gary and Amanda are currently also researching the history of the pub, and hoping local Wootton Bassett regulars will be able to help them.
“We want to celebrate the pub’s long history and later this year we’ll put all the information we’ve discovered on show in the pub,” added Amanda.
All Gary and Amanda know about the pub at the moment is that the building’s deeds go back to 1661 – five years before the Great Fire of London, and it was built as a house. At one stage it was also used as an inn and a jeweller’s shop.
Later date it became a malt house and some time between 1812 and 1829 it finally became an inn. In 1830 it was sold for £100 and its name was changed to The Castle and Ball. Even then, as now, it offered accommodation, promising: “Good stabling and well-aired beds.”
Arkell’s bought the pub in 1876 – 130 years ago and twenty years later restored its original name – The Borough Arms.
Gary said: “These are rather patchy historical details which we’d like to ‘flesh out’. The building is full of character, like Wootton Bassett itself, and we want to be able to celebrate that by showing it off to all our customers.”
As Gary and Amanda moved from Caerphilly in Wales to Swindon just last year, they are relying on local residents to help them in their historical quest.
“We don’t know the area very well, but we’re keen to meet those that do,” added Gary. “Wootton Bassett’s a really lovely town and even though we’ve taken on a new challenge, we’re also buying a house here so when we are ready for retirement – this is where it’ll be!”
To help Gary and Amanda, visit them at The Borough Arms, 51 High Street, Wootton Bassett or call them on 01793 854833.
More about The Borough Arms
Flower power causes hilarity at Arkell's pubs
Loud and Proud: Local landlords Sue and Stephen Richardson with head Brewer Don Bracher
Summer's officially started at Arkell's Brewery which has not only launched its 2006 Summer Ale, but also radically redesigned the Summer Ale pump clip in the shape of a sunflower.
The new pump clip is already causing amusement in some Arkell's pubs where both landlords and customers are used to more the brewery's more conservative and traditional pump clips. But Brewery managing director James Arkell maintains that the new pump clip is 'loud and proud'!
"Pump clips are part of bar furniture and new designs are always a good topic of conversation. Our new 'Sunflower' pump clip brings sunshine into the bar and celebrates the season."
One Arkell's landlord said: "I've never seen the like of it before - it's certainly causes comment, it's great that Arkell's have produced something so stunning and different and it certainly cheers me up when I walk into the bar."
The brewery is supporting its new pump clips with a Sunflower-growing competition, in partnership with Wyevale Garden Centre which will help judge the sunflowers at the end of the summer.
James said: "The competition is open to all our landlords - or their customers if they want to grow it on the landlord's behalf."
Summer Ale was first brewed in 1994 and was one of the brewery's earliest 'seasonal' ales, launched in response to demands from loyal Arkell's drinkers for a lighter ale suitable for drinking during the warm Summer months.
Since then it's become one of the breweries most enduring and best-loved seasonal ales, with a clean and refreshing taste which, when served cool, makes a perfect alternative to lager.
Arkell's Summer Ale is a 4% alcohol by volume light-coloured beer brewed from specially selected malted barley and continental Styrian Golding hops. The Styrian hops give the beer a pleasant hop flavour without the characteristic bitterness of a typical pint of Arkell's beer
More about our brewery
Arkell’s drinks to The Queen on her 80th Birthday
Royal ale: Arkell's Her Majesty the Queen's 80th Anniversary Ale
Arkell’s Brewery is celebrating The Queen’s 80th Birthday by brewing a special ale in celebration of Her Majesty.
A few weeks’ ago, Arkell’s head brewer, Don Bracher locked himself away with a range of traditional English ingredients to create a traditional beer which the brewery considered worthy of celebrating the reigning monarch’s birthday. The result is a glorious light golden beer, 5% ABV, which uses 3 varieties of traditional Fuggles hops (Fuggles, Styrian Goldings and Willenet) and using Duchy Malt (Plumage Archer and Maris Otter).
The beer bottle label colour matches the Queen’s racing silks and features a picture of Horseguards.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery and also deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, said: “Brewing a special beer to celebrate The Queen’s 80th birthday isn’t an easy task and our Head Brewer has gone to great lengths to brew a truly wonderful ale which is as rich in tradition as it is in taste. The result is a special beer for a very special lady.”
A crate of the Queen’s Birthday beer will be delivered to Buckingham Palace on Friday when it will also be available in all Arkell’s pubs to drink a toast to her and her successful 54 year’s reign.
Arkell’s has its own tradition of brewing celebration ales for the Royal Family. The last birthday ale it brewed was to celebrate Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s 100th Birthday in 2000. In 2002 it brewed a special ale to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Happy birthday, Ma'am: Arkell's managing director James Arkell (r) and head brewer Don Bracher raise a toast to Queen Elizabeth II
James Arkell said: “We believe in celebrating achievement and we are delighted to pay tribute to the amazing work that The Royal Family, led by The Queen, does on behalf of our country. We all wish Her Majesty a very happy birthday, and many more of them.”
More about our commemorative ales
Arkell’s and First Great Western raise their glasses to Brunel
Celebrating Brunel's 200th Anniversary: Arkell's director George Arkell (as Brunel) and Paul Hinsley, First Great Western's Head of Catering
Arkell’s Brewery has teamed up with train company First Great Western to celebrate Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 200th anniversary this year.
The companies have launched a competition celebrating the great engineer’s achievements and offering a trip around Swindon-based Arkell’s Brewery, one of finest remaining examples of steam brewery in the world. The prizes include rail travel, courtesy of First Great Western, and lunch at the brewery.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We couldn’t let such an important anniversary go by without paying our own, personal tribute to the great man. To a large extent, Arkell’s exists because of Brunel. If he hadn’t based his engineering works in Swindon, close to the Arkell’s family farm, then the first John Arkell wouldn’t have thought to use his excess barley harvest towards making beer as there wouldn’t have been enough people to sell it to!
"Before Brunel, Swindon hardly existed. It was a very small settlement which just happened to be half way between London Paddington and Bristol – two of the UK’s most important cities, but when he decided to locate his railway works here and the engineering works grew, so did the population and their capacity to drink beer.
"In 1843 Arkell’s was born and continued to serve locally-brewed real ale to the thirsty workers in the railway sheds until they closed in 1986 - a sad year for our town and its noble engineering tradition.”
Arkell’s link with the railway operators such as First Great Western goes back to the early 20th century when Arkell’s ale, and other local ales like it, was served both on the train buffets and on Paddington Station. When the larger catering chains started changing the face of station forecourts for ever, local and regional food and drink started to disappear, to be replaced with the ubiquitous burger-bars and coffee shops.
Last year, keen to reintroduce local food and drink back on its trains, First Great Western began stocking a range of regionally-produced food and drink into its train buffets again, including cans of Arkell’s 3Bs real ale.
Paul Hinsley, First Great Western's Head of Catering, says: "We take pride in serving locally produced food and drink to our 22 million customers every year and we're pleased to link up with Arkell's for this exciting competition. Both Arkell's and First Great Western have reasons to be grateful to Brunel and this competition is an excellent way of celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth."
To enter ‘Arkell’s Brunel Bonanza’, pick up a leaflet on First Great Western Trains, or in any of Arkell’s 103 pubs, between May and June.
Brunel 200 - website
First Great Western - website
The White Horse gets a new family!
New Home: the Ireson family outside the White Horse at Woolstone
With three children, another on the way and the in-laws currently helping out, Andrew and Suzy Ireson are not sure whether they’ll be able to let the six bedrooms at their new pub, The White Horse at Woolstone, or whether they’ll be filling them up themselves!
Andrew and Suzy have moved from Yorkshire to take over the 16 century pub, bought by local brewery Arkell’s last year and reputed to be one of the oldest inns in the country. According to local history, in the mid 19th century author Thomas Hughes, who lived in nearby village Uffington wrote some of his famous book: ‘Tom Brown’s Schooldays’ at the pub.
Andrew said: “It’s a challenge, taking over such a well-known pub – especially with our family about to expand – but really good pubs are hard to come by and we’ve been looking for a place like this for two years. We knew that if we didn’t snap it up when Arkell’s offered it to us, it was unlikely we’d get a similar chance again.”
Since they moved in, with their chef Rob Cooper who’s moved from Yorkshire with them, the pub’s burst into life as the Easter holidays have kicked in.
“With the famous National Trust White Horse hill within walking distance of the pub, the phone’s hardly stopped ringing with bookings,” said Andrew. “Our first week was frantic as we had to take over the pub and organise suppliers, whilst still presenting a calm front to the customers – even when we had to fix a leak in the bar ceiling during Saturday night. It was OK, though, everyone thought it was quite amusing and it’s all part of the teething problems associated with getting to know a new building. Luckily we got it fixed quickly.”
The move into a pub is a lifestyle-change for the Ireson family. Before moving to Oxfordshire and taking over at The White Horse, Andrew ran a large restaurant in Yorkshire.
“I was working very long restaurant hours, now I’m around all the time and the kids love it,” he said. “Moving back into the pub trade feels like I’ve come home again – it’s was always what I enjoyed doing most. The kids love it too, because they see their dad more often and the village is great. “We’ve been welcomed by the locals and there’s a school in the next village where the children will go next term.”
James Arkell, at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “When we said to the Iresons that The White Horse is a family pub they took us literally! But the best sort of country pub has a family running it and we hope that they’ll be very happy there.”
More about The White Horse
Tea for Two – and a pint of Arkell’s please!
White Hart hospitality: Louise Britton serves tes to two Yorkshire guests
Cream cakes and a pint of 3Bs? Well perhaps not, but you could if you wanted to now The White Hart Hotel at Cricklade has started doing morning coffee and afternoon tea.
Landlord Phillip Britton, who took over the hotel late last year, has decided to open up the restaurant during the day, to solve the problem of not enough tourist tea shops.
“Cricklade’s a popular tourist town on the River Thames – and there are always lots of people dropping in asking for a tea – so we decided to oblige,” he said. “There’s only one in the town, but it can’t cater for everyone and we have a beautiful but empty restaurant during the day which has such a pretty patio outside it was daft to let it go to waste.”
Since they moved into The White Hart, this dynamic duo, who helped Arkell’s launch its flagship new pub in North Swindon, The Tawny Owl, two year’s ago, have given the hotel a new lease of life.
“We love it here. The place is steeped in history – both local and the personal histories of those who’ve been customers here for years,” said Philip. “Over the last few years The White Hart had been known locally for its bar more than the hotel, which is why people were a little surprised when we decided to do afternoon teas. But now we want it to live up to its beautiful and imposing façade on the high street, and so whilst we value our pub trade, which has continued to grow, we’re doing meals morning, noon and night as we grow our reputation!”
More about The White Hart
Rob’s local born and bred – just like his meat
Food for thought: Rob and his chef Chris Ricketts
New landlord at The Sun, Coate Water, isn’t well travelled – and he’s determined that his food shouldn’t be either.
Rob Thorley, who’s recently taken over the Arkell’s pub, is determined to use locally-sourced meat and vegetables because he thinks it’s better for his customers, local suppliers and the environment if it’s got fewer ‘food miles’ attached.
“So much meat you get in pubs and restaurants these days comes from abroad,” he said. “Local people would be surprised if they realised how much comes from as far as Argentina! I think it’s absolutely ridiculous –especially as there’s so much good food grown locally. You can’t describe meat as ‘fresh’ if it’s been flown thousands of miles to end up in Swindon.”
Rob, who’s a trained chef, has also decided to go ‘back to basics’ with his menus. “The Sun’s customers tell me they want food they recognise cooked simply but well, so that’s what we’re doing. I’m not evangelical about the whole ‘organic’ food thing, but I do understand that the best menus are prepared from food sourced locally where possible – and customers like it too. So whatever’s on our menu, from the food bar to the baguettes – we’ll do our best to make sure it’s got minimum food miles attached.”
Rob, who’s worked at a number of restaurants across Wiltshire, has taken over the pub with his wife Lin and their two children. “I’ve been waiting to get my hands on an Arkell’s pub for six years, and The Sun at Coate Water is in a fantastic position,” he said. “I’m quite certain that the best sort of pub is run along traditional lines – and now I’m putting my money where my mouth is! Gastro pubs are great in their way – but long live the local serving good beer, good food and welcoming to everyone.”
More about The Sun
Opposites attract, thanks to The Bell
Growing friendship: Rosemary & Eileen, with Bell Landlady Jenny Gill
When Purton Stoke villagers Rosemary Whitefoot and Eileen Higgins lost their husbands within three months of each other their worlds changed for ever.
But luckily they’ve discovered a mutual friendship that, four year’s later, is still going strong and centres around their village pub, The Bell.
“Despite living on opposite sides of the pub, we didn’t really know each other before,” explains Eileen Higgins, who’s lived in the village for 69 years. “When you’re with your husband, you tend to do things with them, and when they’re gone, you have to start again – it’s hard, but luckily for me I met Rosemary, who’s now become a great friend.”
Jenny Gill, landlady at The Bell, said: “This is why rural village pubs like The Bell are so special. Rosemary and Eileen have been regulars at the pub for years and years, but now they’re on their own, they’ve got a place to meet, eat and socialise with others. Eileen has family who live in the village and Rosemary’s family live in Swindon, but they all come to The Bell and we recently hosted Eileen’s 75th birthday here.”
Jenny and her husband Peter have been back running The Bell since last October, having first run the pub five year’s ago. “We’re seasoned Arkell’s landlords,” said Jenny. “But we loved The Bell and wanted to return when the tenancy became available. It’s the village and the people that are special, and now that Arkell’s have bought the 4-acre field at the back of the pub we can have the village fete here too this summer.”
Eileen and Rosemary now have lunch at The Bell at least once a week, and would eat there every day if they could afford it.
“Purton Stoke’s a lovely village with a great community spirit,” said Rosemary. “There used to be a shop here but that closed down many years ago, so The Bell is the only place that’s open every day where everyone’s welcome. Eileen and I are lucky that we live in one of the few remaining villages with its own pub and what divided us for years has now brought us together.”
More about The Bell
Future Arkell’s landlords flock to The Tawny Owl
Landladies in waiting: Mother and daughter, Sheila & Jackie Pike
They came from as far afield as Sau Paulo in Brazil and Brittany, France and in the UK from London, to discover whether a life behind bars was for them.
Around 200 people including special-needs teachers, welders, bus drivers and gardeners all visited The Tawny Owl pub in Swindon for the first-ever Arkell’s Career Fair, organised by the brewery to answer questions and provide information on how to be become a landlord.
George Arkell, tied trade director at Arkell’s Brewery, said; “We get calls all the time from people who think that they’d like to run a pub, and it can be a wonderful career for those with personality who aren’t afraid of hard work – but not everyone’s suited to a life behind the bar – or to being their own boss. Our first careers fair gave potential landlords the information they needed on what it takes to run an Arkell’s pub, and it was great. We’ll certainly be holding similar events in the future.”
Brittany born David Langouet came to the UK about ten year’s ago and is currently working as a bus driver in Swindon. “I’ve got a lot of experience in the catering business as I was a restaurant manager by the age of 24,” he said. “I really want to be my own boss and love the industry, that’s why I came today.”
Mother and daughter combination Sheila and Jackie Pike from Swindon also attended the fair. Jackie works in a Swindon restaurant and her mum has worked in a pub. Sheila said: “We’re really keen to run a business together and Jackie in particular is used to working long hours in her present job. Working in a sociable environment really appeals to us – you might as well enjoy the job you’re doing.”
Running a pub can be enormously rewarding – but it does take a special individual to be a really great landlord. George added: “We’ve got a fair few great landlords in our estate of 103 pubs and we make sure we look after them because a good landlord makes a pub.”
At the Arkell’s careers fair, directors, staff and landlords from the brewery were available to discuss what it really takes to run a pub, and what landlords can expect in return. Time was short but hopefully we have sown the seeds of interest.”
“We’ve got a real mix of people running our pubs – individuals and couples,” said George. “At some stage in their lives, many people consider leaving the rat race to run a pub, and it can be a great lifestyle choice – especially with breweries such as Arkell’s because we have such a wide range of pubs in both town centre and rural locations.
“Pub vacancies at Arkells come and go but if prospective landlords are registered with us, then they’ll know about the best ones first. As long as you’ve got the commitment and personality to run a pub, we’ll help you with everything you need to know.
Become a Landlord
More about The Tawny Owl
Make a career out of food & drink
Tied Trade Director George Arkell and Arkell's Managing Director James Arkell
Arkell’s Brewery is running its first, ever, careers fair on March 9th from 4.30 – 8.30pm at The Tawny Owl, Thamesdown Drive, Priory Vale, Swindon.
George Arkell, tied trade director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Each month we get dozens of calls from people interested in running a pub, so we thought we’d hold a big careers fair so everyone can come along and discover what it’s really like to be a landlord.”
Arkell's owns pubs in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire, and George points out that running a pub can be a wonderful career for those with personality who aren’t afraid of hard work – but not everyone’s suited to a life behind the bar – or to being their own boss.
“Running a pub can be enormously rewarding – but it does take a special individual to be a really great landlord,” he said. “We’ve got a fair few great landlords in our estate of 103 pubs and we make sure we look after them because a good landlord makes a pub.”
At the Arkell’s careers fair, directors, staff and landlords from the brewery will be available to discuss what it really takes to run a pub, and what landlords can expect in return.
“We’ve got a real mix of people running our pubs – individuals and couples,” said George. “At one of our pubs in Cirencester, a mother-and-daughter team took over behind the bar earlier this month and they’re already making their mark - in fact it’s opening up a whole new group of customers there as women feel more welcome than ever before.
“At some stage in their lives, many people consider that leaving the rat race and running a pub would be a wonderful lifestyle choice, and it can be – especially with breweries such as Arkell’s because we have such a wide range of pubs; from trendy town centre establishments to village locals and pubs offering bed and breakfast. Pub vacancies at Arkells come and go but if prospective landlords are registered with us, then they’ll know about the best ones first. As long as you’ve got the commitment and personality to run a pub, we’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
For more information on the Arkell’s career’s fair, please telephone 01793 823026.
