Work begins on new Arkell's Brewery pub

Construction work has officially started on Arkell’s Brewery’s new pub in Swindon after being delayed due to Covid.

Local MP Justin Tomlinson turned the first sod during a breaking ground ceremony, and was joined by managing director George Arkell and Craig Morton of Edmont Ltd, the firm responsible for the construction.

The new four million-pound site is due to open in 2022 in Swindon’s Tadpole Garden Village, and will be named The Strawberry Thief.

Arkell said: “It has been a long and very challenging year for us all and it is fabulous for us to be able to look forwards not backwards. The Strawberry Thief is the biggest project we have undertaken in years.

"The Tadpole community have been really supportive and encouraging as it has taken a long time to actually start construction on site. We are immensely proud to be investing in Swindon; it’s our home town and we can’t wait to see the build take shape and evolve into a fantastic neighbourhood pub.”

The pub has been designed by Clark & Maslin, an architectural practice based in Malmesbury, and Concorde BGW Group.  

Ian Maslin from Clark and Maslin commented: “Enormous thought and effort has gone into the design, layout and fenestration so the building compliments the existing setting of the Tadpole village. Natural materials have been used throughout to provide a sustainable building that will stand the testament of time. 

"We hope the pub will achieve a balance between being a destination pub and neighbourhood pub; it will feature open fires, a welcoming bar and a fantastic garden overlooking the village green and cricket pitch. The project has been a long time coming with the interruption of the pandemic but it’s great news that work has finally commenced on this very exciting project.”

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