Gutted. That's the only word I can use to describe how I felt driving past The Rolleston Arms yesterday. Those familiar doors locked, windows dark, and a hastily-printed notice taped to the entrance. Another local watering hole gone dark.
The beloved Swindon pub has suddenly closed down, leaving regulars bewildered and event organizers scrambling to find alternative venues. I should know – my mate Dave had booked his band's comeback gig there next month. His response when I texted him the news: "You're joking. That's the third venue we've lost this year."
What the hell actually happened?
Rumors spread faster than spilled beer on a bar top. One particularly persistent claim suggested teh pub had lost its licence "due to the actions of the local council and pub company" – but that's complete nonsense, as it turns out.
Swindon Borough Council quickly confirmed The Rolleston Arms hasn't lost its licence at all. The closure is temporary, though "temporary" in pub terms can mean anything from a few weeks to... well, forever.
A spokesperson for Stonegate (the corporate giants who actually own the place) told me: "The pub is currently closed until further notice while we look to recruit a new publican to run the premises. We're also going to be carrying out repair work to the site before it eventually reopens under a new publican, so it will be closed for a little while."
The revolving door of landlords
This isn't the first time locals have found themselves without their favorite pint spot. The Rolleston has seen more landlords come and go than I've had hot dinners.
Back in 2023, it was still operating under its previous name, Commercial Road Tavern, run by Violet McLaren before she sold up. Daniel Harrison took the reins next, but by January 2024, the windows were boarded up.
Then in June, Charlotte Thornton and Craig Waters breathed new life into the venue.
Now they're gone too.
Those "unforeseen issues"
I remember popping in for a quick one back in February, only to find a sign on the door about the place being closed due to "unforeseen issues" with the cellar cooling system. Typical. You plan your Friday night around a decent pint and end up at some soulless chain instead.
Listen. I've been drinking in Swindon pubs since 2008, and I've watched at least seven of my regular haunts disappear. Each time, there's always some vague explanation that doesn't quite tell the whole story.
Just another casualty in Britain's dying pub scene?
The Rolleston Arms isn't alone in its struggle. Across the country, beloved boozers are calling last orders for good.
In East London, the historic Gun pub in Homerton has shut after an incredible 160-year run. Despite a heroic crowdfunding campaign during Covid that raised over £30K in a single day (seriously, in ONE day), owners Nick and Hanna-Sinclair Stephens couldn't keep it afloat.
"It was hugely popular, but we just couldn't keep going," Nick explained. "The capacity was only 90 — the numbers just didn't add up anymore."
God. Even writing that makes me depressed.
Over in Nottingham, The Emerald – this amazing Indian pub and sports bar that opened just two years ago – has also pulled its final pint. The owners called it their "labour of love" before rising costs and business partnership problems created what they described as "emotional, financial adn operational strain."
The morning-after reality
I spent £78 last Saturday night at my local. Expensive? Yes. Worth it to keep these community spaces alive? Absolutely. But clearly not enough of us are doing it.
The pandemic was just the beginning. Now it's the triple whammy of astronomical energy bills, rising business rates, and the cost of a barrel that's forcing even award-winning establishments to call time.
For now, The Rolleston Arms sits quiet on Commercial Road, waiting for its next chapter. Whether it'll reopen with the same character or become yet another generic food-focused chain remains to be seen.
I'm not holding my breath.
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