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Pub Takings Quadruple on First All-Day Opening
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| The St James Hotel in Ambrose Street |
After taking the decision to open all day, new tenants at The St James Hotel in Ambrose Street, Cheltenham found they were quids as their first day takings increased four-fold.
Rene Blamey, 21, Dan Chambers, 22 and Rob Knight, 19 have taken over the Hotel, owned by Arkell's Brewery, after working together in the licensed trade for the past six months.
"We discovered we made a great team and when the tenancy at The St James Hotel became available, we decided to go for it," said Rene, who has taken the role of General Manager at the hotel.
"It's very different to what we have been doing, as none of us have run a hotel before, but we're used to opening all day so we decided to go for it - and the first day was phenomenal."
Rob has taken over the role of Chef and Dan is the 'Freebody', capable of putting his hand to anything that's needed.
The 'Three Amigos' are just discovering that 'open all hours' means just that and they're up at 6am to do breakfasts for their guests and falling into bed at after Midnight.
"It's long hours, but we're used to that," he says. "All day opening makes sense in Cheltenham town centre and our customers seem to really appreciate it."
Managing director at Arkell's Brewery, James Arkell, who lives near Fairford, said: "The St James Hotel is almost unique in Cheltenham in being a traditional town pub. But that doesn't mean the customers have to be traditionally asked to leave at 3pm! Just three days into their new roles, with new opening hours and a new menu, Rene, Rob and Dan are really making their mark."
Brian Walkleys Off with Cup at Brewery Golf Day
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| Brian Walkley |
It was victory again for Landlord Brian Walkley in the Annual Arkell's Brewery Golf Day as he took the Landlord's Cup for the third time.
"I won it in 1997, 1999 and now in 2002, and I'm delighted to scoop it up again," said Brian, who runs The Royal Oak at Bishopstone and is a member at Ogbourne St George Golf Club.
Over seventy licensees and free trade customers took part in the Arkell's Golf day, held at Cavendish Heath Golf Club near Reading.
Lowest scores were recorded by Alan Rossiter, Licensee at The Wheatsheaf in Stratton and Brewery drayman Trevor Blackwood.
Managing director at Arkell's Brewery, James Arkell, said: "Unfortunately for Alan, his golfing prowess doesn't match his speedway skills, but he can always drown his sorrows in a pint of 3Bs and we hope he's up for a rematch next year."
For James, the annual Arkell's Golf Day was just a 'limber up' for the Arkell's 'Old and Bold' Golf Cup Challenge, being held on 14th August at Wrag Barn.
"The veterans team will be captained by our retired director Richard Turner and I'll lead the younger team - hopefully to a second victory after picking up the cup last year," he said. "But there's all to play for as we only won by a point last year."
"They say that a lot of business can be done on the golf course, but frankly we're just here for the beer - and the fun."
Reshuffle for Landlords at Arkell's
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| Derek & Tina Rowlands |
It's not only reshuffle season for Political Parties. Two sets of Landlords at Arkell's Brewery are on the move between pubs as the brewery makes the perfect match between pub and landlord.
Well-known Swindon publican Derek Rowlands and his wife Tina are moving from The Moonraker's on Cricklade Road toThe White Hart on Oxford Road.
"The kids are thrilled, as the brewery put in a great new play area at the White Hart last year," explains Derek. "My wife Tina is also delighted. She's a trained chef and is planning to extend the food hours at The White Hart - especially on Sundays when we'll cook from 12-4pm."
At The Moonrakers, Christopher and Sharon Leighfield are returning to Swindon after two months away to take over at one of the town's best known pubs.
"We can't wait to get our hands on The Moonrakers," says Sharon who has been working behind a bar since she was sixteen. "It's one of Swindon's traditional venues and we're looking forward to carrying on from Derek who's really got the place buzzing over the last two years."
Matchmaker and Managing Director at Arkell'sBrewery, James Arkell, is delighted with the new appointments.
"We take a lot of time to match the best landlord with his or her dream pub, they should go together like a pint of 3Bs and a chat. After all, they spend more time in the pub than anywhere else," he says.
"When we 're recruiting new landlords, personality and enthusiasm can be more important to us than experience. We can always try and teach the right person everything they need to know."
Derek Rowlands has been with Arkell's for twenty years. First at The Kingsdown, then eight years at The Steam Train (now The Manor at Cheney Manor), ten years at The Bakers in Stratton before moving over to The Moonrakers and now The White Hart.
"When Derek's wanted a change of bar scenery, we've taken time and trouble to find him somewhere he'll be happy," says James.
"He married Tina two years ago and the kids now want space outside to play. The White Hart should be a really good home for them, whilst Christopher and Sharon can really throw themselves into running The Moonrakers."
Arkell's Youngest Tenant Hooks Up to The Plough
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| The Plough |
At only 22 year's old, Nicola Campbell has become Arkell's Brewery's youngest tenant.
Local girl Nicola has taken over the tenancy at The Plough, on London Street, Fairford from Paul Reynolds, who has moved to Newbury.
"I'm pretty sociable and love bar work, so when this opportunity came up to run The Plough for Arkell's I jumped at the chance," said Nicola, who has been working as a barmaid at The Plough for six months.
But she's a bit more nervous about bossing around her three staff, who are all older than her!
Arkell's Director George Arkell is delighted that Nicola has taken up the challenge: "We feel that most important quality in a landlord or landlady isn't age or experience, although of course they help, but personality and enthusiasm and Nicola has plenty of that," he said.
Nicola was educated at Farmor's School in Fairford and left at sixteen to do Leisure and Tourism at College.
"It's great to have a career that I planned," she said. "I'm looking forward to maintaining The Plough as a popular pub and developing the menus over the next few months," she said.
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More about The Plough Inn... |
Biggest Field Ever for The Globe 5Km Road Race
Well over 100 entries have been received for The Annual Globe 5km Road Race, part of The County Running Championships, which will be started tomorrow (Thursday 15th August) at 7.45pm from The Globe Pub at Sandhurst Road, Gloucester, by Mayor Pam Tracey, supported by Gloucester Sheriff, Councillor Paul James.
As entry levels for some other county road races have remained static this year, the number of athletes keen to take part in the race has risen sharply this year, according to organiser Terry Haines.
"The Globe Race is a very fast and flat race, and is favoured by many of the top county runners," he said. "A new fastest time was set last year by a student at the University of Gloucestershire. Martin Palmer ran the course in a record 14 minutes and 17 seconds - but of course we're looking to smash that record this year."
The 5km Globe Road Race is now in its seventh year, and is just one of a number of races run from the popular Arkell's pub which are regularly organised by The Severn Athletic Club.
Having only been at The Globe for four months, this is the first time landlord and landlady Jason and Sarah Reeves have hosted the event, and they're looking forward to entertaining the runners and supporters.
The course starts at The Globe and loops around the village of Sandhurst before returning to The pub and a well-earned pint of real Arkell's Ale to restore fluids lost during the race!
Arkell's Puts Taw Hill Community First at New Pub
Arkell's Brewery is putting the local community at the top of the agenda as it has submitted a detailed planning application to Swindon Borough Council for the new pub at Taw Hill in West Swindon, The Taw-Ny Owl.
"After a lot of discussion, we have decided to include for planning a function room at the pub which will help to provide a focal point for local residents," said managing director at the brewery, James Arkell.
"We want to help Taw Hill establish their community and the new pub will go a long way to supporting that. But groups need somewhere to meet and the function room will provide the extra space they'll need."
Permission has also been sought to include three letting rooms at The Taw-Ny Owl and Arkell's hopes to start work as soon as planning permission is received.
"Provided everything goes to plan, we hope to receive permission towards the end of September and would like to begin some of the heavy groundwork before Winter sets in. It's all in the planners hands now," said James
It is likely that Edmonts of Stratton St Margaret, Swindon, will be the main building contractor.
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