WORK on a new multi-million pound Swindon pub is a step closer to beginning. Arkell s Brewery has appointed Edmont Ltd as its main contractor for the construction of a neighbourhood pub in the Tadpole Garden Village. The Stratton brewery has picked the borough-based business to be responsible for the multi-million-pound build project. which is set to start this summer. Edmont is based on Hyde Road, a stone s throw from the brewery, and is a contractor with more than 50 years’ experience in construction, fit-out, joinery, and a longstanding partner of Arkell’s. The two have worked together on a number of projects over the years, including building The Tawny Owl in 2003, The Liden Arms in 1980 and The Woodshaw Inn in 1985 as well as some of the rooms in The White Hart, in a partnership which dates back to the 1970s.
A LOYAL Arkell s Brewery employee celebrated his 50th year at the iconic Swindon company. Jim Burdock joined the Stratton landmark aged 15 in April 1971, beginning his career in the minerals department before moving around the brewery by working in the copper, the barrel wash, on the dray and in bottling. He is the longest-serving member of staff currently at Arkell’s and one of only a few to have reached such a major milestone in the beer-makers long history. Due to Covid-19, celebrations for this impressive anniversary were not quite what they could have been. But to recognise the occasion, chairman James Arkell presented Jim with a certificate and cheque then gave flowers to his wife Pam.
NEARLY 30 Arkell s pubs in Wiltshire and Swindon are reopening their doors to thirsty customers this week as lockdown measures are eased in England, the company has revealed. Under Boris Johnson s roadmap out of lockdown, the hospitality industry reopened on Monday (April 12) for the first time in months, but will only be serving food or drink outdoors. The rule of six will still be in force, meaning customers can meet up in groups of six - or two households, whichever is greater. Punters will also have to order from their table and stay seated - enabling social distancing. However, new test and trace rules mean everyone over 16-years-old must sign in before going into pubs, cafés or restaurants, unlike last year when just one member of a group needed to do this.
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THE boss of a family-run brewery that owns several pubs around Swindon called the coronavirus pandemic the toughest challenged it has faced in 177 years. Arkell s did its bit to support struggling landlords at the pubs it owns by cancelling rent payments and paid for any unsold beer. Managing director George Arkell looked back on a difficult 12 months which saw the Stratton-based brewery losing more than 95 per cent of its usual turnover. He said: It has been an unbelievably challenging year for the whole country, but the hospitality sector has been particularly impacted. Our pubs were some of the first businesses to be closed and are likely to be the last allowed to reopen.