Bell Hotel shuts again after revamp

9:10pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News By Katie Bond

The Bell, in Old Town Buy this photo » The Bell, in Old Town

OLD Town has lost another pub after the Bell Hotel closed its doors.

The pub, in High Street, only re-opened in November, after being empty for a year.

Following a 14-week refurbishment, new owner and experienced publican Terry Wight took over the pub and told the Adver he had hoped to return it to its former glory.

But just three months later, the pub stands empty once again and a To Let sign has been placed in the window.

Speaking at the time of opening, Terry, 55, who has been in the pub trade for 35 years, said: “The Bell pub has been empty for nearly a year, and it is such a fine building and it was a shame it was just left.

“Real ales is one of our main draws, we have six real ales on at the moment, which will change and because we are not tied to a brewery we can pick beers that we want.

“We also believe that having good value for money is key, it is hard for pubs but we can offer pints from as low as £2.40.

“They are not opening offers either we will try and keep those prices as long as they are not put up by the brewery or taxes go up.”

Sal Marsden, of Salsanativa salsa dance club, held monthly Latin party nights in the upstairs of The Bell, known as Fusion, until she was informed that it had closed this week.

She said: “The Bell had only been open since November – we always used to hold our Latin nights there before it closed for a year.

“When it closed, we moved the party nights in to the town centre, but people don’t always like going out in the town centre and our numbers began to fall.

“When I heard they were opening up again in November I asked if we could go back.

“The upstairs area was then renamed Fusion, which I think it was called years ago, and it was going well.

“It was an ideal venue for us, it was perfect, but I don’t know if people think it is a bit out of the way – people like going out in Wood Street.

“It is a shame because it is another pub that has closed.”

The Bell hit trouble in August 2011 when its licence to sell alcohol was temporarily suspended and its manager at the time stood down after the venue was caught serving alcohol to children.

The licence was suspended for five days with the hotel unable to serve alcohol, put on regulated entertainment, or serve hot food after 11pm.

Shortly after that the pub hit trouble and closed.

But Terry said that locals had been pleased to see the hotel re-open in November.

The following month he was successful in extending the bar’s licence so that it could sell alcohol until midnight from Monday to Thurs-day, 1.30am on Friday and Saturday, and midnight on Sunday, with entertainment permitted until 11pm from Monday to Thursday, 1am on Friday and Saturday, and 11pm on Sunday.

Comments(30)

toadman says...
6:56am Sat 23 Feb 13

What a shame. I can remember when the place was full to capacity as a "bikers pub", with Frogs restaurant above. Unfortunately these days, its a sign of the times. Just look at all the pubs around town empty now.

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adsinibiza says...
8:59am Sat 23 Feb 13

Just reading the article it's quite obvious what happened to anyone who knows a little about marketing.

To be succesful these days any pub or bar needs to do more than hang out a sign saying 'we sell beer' - pub managers and landlords need to give people a reason to want to go into their business and spend money. Thye should ask themselves questions like 'what makes my pub attractive?' and 'what makes my pub different?'

The reason why there are so many closed and boarded up pubs these days is too many managers and landlords forgot that

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I Could Do That says...
9:00am Sat 23 Feb 13

I remember watching The Meteors perform there.
It was very run down, but very popular

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Always Grumpy says...
9:28am Sat 23 Feb 13

In the early 60's, The Bell was usually our last port of call before heading over to the Locarno for the Saturday night dance. In those days there were double the number of pubs in Old Town compared to today and The Bell was often the last pub on our travels.
It used to say over the front door that The Bell was "established in ye reign of Henry VIII AD 1515", which must make it one of the oldest pubs in the Swindon area. I'm not sure if that's still there, as I've not been in there for many years - late 60's at least.

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Tim Newroman says...
10:09am Sat 23 Feb 13

They halcyon days of The Bell were from around 1985 to the late 90s. Used to be rammed every weekend. The rot set in when they put up the steel beams to try and create a flexible roof to cover the courtyard in the bad weather. It lost some of its soul and was never the same again.

Mind you, it went into a nosedive after Paul the landlord left and has been pretty pointless ever since.

Also used to be one of the best venues in Swindon for live rock music.

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Big Boss Man says...
10:14am Sat 23 Feb 13

I remember watching The Meteors perform there.
It was very run down, but very popular


The Meteors!?!

Wow that was some time ago

Good times

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what ever says...
10:39am Sat 23 Feb 13

Im not happy it has closed, my husband and I booked my daughter's 18th Birthday party there, they took our money only two weeks ago, they must of know they were shutting down, no one would return our calls and I am now trying to get my money back from the credit card company, luckily the County Ground were free and re-booked her party!!

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PJC says...
12:03pm Sat 23 Feb 13

I Could Do That wrote:
I remember watching The Meteors perform there.
It was very run down, but very popular
I remember seeing The Meteors there too! It was one of the pubs we students used. It always seemed a bit dishevelled but was usually packed.

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RichardR1 says...
12:41pm Sat 23 Feb 13

There is no magic bullet to save pubs, many express their opinions about what will and won't work.

In the end pubs close because people don't use them.

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Tim Newroman says...
1:05pm Sat 23 Feb 13

It did make me wonder how long the latest incarnation of The Bell would last when we went in there a few times and realised how cheap the ales were.

They seemed to have been relying on cheap prices to draw the big sales, which in turn could keep the prices low. Trouble is, low prices with low sales means pubs go out of business within 3 months.

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Pompey-Bound says...
2:02pm Sat 23 Feb 13

RichardR1 wrote:
There is no magic bullet to save pubs, many express their opinions about what will and won't work.

In the end pubs close because people don't use them.
Wrong. We all know you have no business sense, but let me help you understand where you failed.

Pubs do not close because people don't use them. Any good manager knows you need to look past an obvious cause to get to the root cause of failure. The root cause is that failing pubs are unpopular pubs.

Pubs that are badly run:
*with poor beer selections,
*arrogant, grumpy and outspoken bar staff,
*dirty seating areas,
*poor food that is served at very limited hours,
*barkeeps in socks and sandals,
*barmen forcing far right political views on patrons
*serving staff that are visually disgusting

Now lets compare and contrast that with successful pubs and maybe you will understand why your pub failed.

Nothing to do with people not using them and everything to do with amateur ignorant management.

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SAM2WIN says...
2:34pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Pompey-Bound wrote:
RichardR1 wrote:
There is no magic bullet to save pubs, many express their opinions about what will and won't work.

In the end pubs close because people don't use them.
Wrong. We all know you have no business sense, but let me help you understand where you failed.

Pubs do not close because people don't use them. Any good manager knows you need to look past an obvious cause to get to the root cause of failure. The root cause is that failing pubs are unpopular pubs.

Pubs that are badly run:
*with poor beer selections,
*arrogant, grumpy and outspoken bar staff,
*dirty seating areas,
*poor food that is served at very limited hours,
*barkeeps in socks and sandals,
*barmen forcing far right political views on patrons
*serving staff that are visually disgusting

Now lets compare and contrast that with successful pubs and maybe you will understand why your pub failed.

Nothing to do with people not using them and everything to do with amateur ignorant management.
Pompey-Bound says...
2:02pm Sat 23 Feb 13


RichardR1 wrote:
There is no magic bullet to save pubs, many express their opinions about what will and won't work.

In the end pubs close because people don't use them.
Wrong. We all know you have no business sense, but let me help you understand where you failed.

Pubs do not close because people don't use them. Any good manager knows you need to look past an obvious cause to get to the root cause of failure. The root cause is that failing pubs are unpopular pubs.

Pubs that are badly run:
*with poor beer selections,
*arrogant, grumpy and outspoken bar staff,
*dirty seating areas,
*poor food that is served at very limited hours,
*barkeeps in socks and sandals,
*barmen forcing far right political views on patrons
*serving staff that are visually disgusting

Now lets compare and contrast that with successful pubs and maybe you will understand why your pub failed.

Nothing to do with people not using them and everything to do with amateur ignorant management.”


We used to go to a great pub just off the A420, often as a family group,until a new landlord took over, your comments describe him to a tee. We were sad we had to stop going there .

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Localboy86 says...
5:09pm Sat 23 Feb 13

TI'm an expert on pubs as well as crime and taxis I see, maybe you should run for council

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daws says...
5:57pm Sat 23 Feb 13

what ever wrote:
Im not happy it has closed, my husband and I booked my daughter's 18th Birthday party there, they took our money only two weeks ago, they must of know they were shutting down, no one would return our calls and I am now trying to get my money back from the credit card company, luckily the County Ground were free and re-booked her party!!
Ha ha, The County Ground lol, you must really think a lot of your daughter then!

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female resident says...
6:37pm Sat 23 Feb 13

The Bell used to be such a great place but then it turned into just another boring bar. Where did all the people go who used to go there in the late 80's & early 90's? We'd probably all go back if it reopened as that kind of pub again - it'd be great to have decent nights out in Swindon again.

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semitonic says...
10:16am Sun 24 Feb 13

Cheap beer is not enough to make a successful pub and can have a detrimental effect.

Look at the Hop on the other side of the block. Has some of the most expensive beer in Swindon (indeed the most expensive pint I've ever had locally at about £7 odd for Duvel) yet is very often packed with people.

It's small yet welcoming and not overdone.

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RichardR1 says...
11:01am Sun 24 Feb 13

Good heavens I didn't know the Carpenters at South Marston had closed when did that happen Pompey.

As for your obsession with the previous landlord, can't help thinking you need to get a life, he's been gone 4 months.

I understand from friends in the village he was hospitable compared to the current one, but I guess that's just a matter of opinion.

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Davey Gravey says...
12:04pm Sun 24 Feb 13

RichardR1 wrote:
Good heavens I didn't know the Carpenters at South Marston had closed when did that happen Pompey.

As for your obsession with the previous landlord, can't help thinking you need to get a life, he's been gone 4 months.

I understand from friends in the village he was hospitable compared to the current one, but I guess that's just a matter of opinion.
Hahaha you plonker

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Pompey-Bound says...
1:51pm Sun 24 Feb 13

RichardR1 wrote:
Good heavens I didn't know the Carpenters at South Marston had closed when did that happen Pompey.

As for your obsession with the previous landlord, can't help thinking you need to get a life, he's been gone 4 months.

I understand from friends in the village he was hospitable compared to the current one, but I guess that's just a matter of opinion.
Well Robert at least you are now admitting to be yourself! I never mentioned the carps or south marston in my OP!

A touch of sour grapes I think, after you were forced out, you are bound to say the new incumbent is doing a worse job. Then again you are not known for honesty are you!

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semitonic says...
2:20pm Sun 24 Feb 13

No he isn't known for his honesty but was always quick to call everyone else a liar.

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Davey Gravey says...
2:47pm Sun 24 Feb 13

I'm sure I've read comments on here from residents of South marston that said they wouldn't go in the carpenters arms whilst Bob feal Martinez was behind the bar.

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Hmmmf says...
2:55pm Sun 24 Feb 13

RichardR1 wrote:
In the end pubs close because people don't use them.

Pompey-Bound wrote:
Wrong... Pubs do not close because people don't use them....The root cause is that failing pubs are unpopular pubs.

So, your definition of an 'unpopular pub' is not 'a pub that people don't use'?

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RichardR1 says...
4:11pm Sun 24 Feb 13

Pompey you are a wheeze you only ever post about said pub and landlord so it was obvious to whom you referred.

As for being forced out, those who actually came from the village knew the truth, my friend has stated very clearly they left completely of their own free will, but of course you still insist they went to Portsmouth also, you clearly don't have a clue.

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Davey Gravey says...
4:28pm Sun 24 Feb 13

Wasn't there an article which stated you were moving to Portsmouth and that you had made enemies during your time at the carpenters arms?

And why keep pretending you aint who everyone knows you are? Making a fool of yourself

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RichardR1 says...
7:37pm Sun 24 Feb 13

Davey Gravey as I have said before, I can neither prove or disprove who I am to anyones satisfaction, so I don't bother.

I am not obsessed with who other posters are, unlike some who simply invent things to suit their obsessions.

In short believe what you will, it is of no consequence to me in the slightest.

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bampi says...
8:12pm Sun 24 Feb 13

semitonic wrote:
Cheap beer is not enough to make a successful pub and can have a detrimental effect.

Look at the Hop on the other side of the block. Has some of the most expensive beer in Swindon (indeed the most expensive pint I've ever had locally at about £7 odd for Duvel) yet is very often packed with people.

It's small yet welcoming and not overdone.
Couldn't agree more; brilliant people, brilliant beer!

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Tim Newroman says...
8:34am Mon 25 Feb 13

bampi wrote:
semitonic wrote:
Cheap beer is not enough to make a successful pub and can have a detrimental effect.

Look at the Hop on the other side of the block. Has some of the most expensive beer in Swindon (indeed the most expensive pint I've ever had locally at about £7 odd for Duvel) yet is very often packed with people.

It's small yet welcoming and not overdone.
Couldn't agree more; brilliant people, brilliant beer!
The Hop is great, it's proved to be a fantastic addition to the Old Town pub scene.

That said, it's a little unfair to label it expensive, a pint of their own Hop Inn Ale is only £3. Yes, Duvel is pricey, but that's the case wherever you buy it.

It's the best example of a pub doing well - it's always packed - due to giving people what they want. A range of good beer at reasonable prices and a welcoming environment. No fruit machines, jukeboxes or half-hearted attempts at food.

Even better now they've got a full HD screen in for the 6 Nations.

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semitonic says...
8:42am Mon 25 Feb 13

After a pint or two of Duvel you soon forget how much it costs anyway.

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Tim Newroman says...
9:54am Mon 25 Feb 13

semitonic wrote:
After a pint or two of Duvel you soon forget how much it costs anyway.
True enough. I realise The Hop's ethos (and I admire it) but I'd love them to get Sharp's Quadrupel Ale in for a month or two. That stuff's insane!

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whatever321 says...
12:48pm Fri 22 Mar 13

what ever wrote:
Im not happy it has closed, my husband and I booked my daughter's 18th Birthday party there, they took our money only two weeks ago, they must of know they were shutting down, no one would return our calls and I am now trying to get my money back from the credit card company, luckily the County Ground were free and re-booked her party!!
Oh a typical thing of the company to do. operating under the name of quality dining group limited.. not very quality i tell you lol. the staff they have across the board in the other pubs they have are all shabby and skanky. both owners think the sun shines out of their backside also...glad to see them fail in this venture brings me great pleasure.. amen :)

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