Snapped: Arkell’s Celebrate New Pub Purchase

Arkell’s Brewery raised a glass to celebrate the purchase of The Southbrook, Swindon. The brewery is only the third owner of the pub since it was converted from a farmhouse into a pub some time during the mid 20th century.

Brewery managing director, George Arkell, said: “There are very few pubs like The Southbrook left, not only in Swindon but probably in the south of England. It sits within a strong local community drawn from the residential estates that have grown up around it since Swindon started to grow in the 1950s. It’s a proper town pub with pool and darts teams, and serving traditional pub food and real ales. It’s the sort of pub for which Arkell’s is known best in Swindon. We are thrilled to be its new owners.” 

Arkell’s bought The Southbrook from Bob and Gina Downing who have retired after 27 years. The new landlord is 29-year old Dave Kearns, who has extensive experience of running pubs across Swindon and near Colchester, Essex. Dave has lived in West Swindon for most of his life.