11:00am Saturday 24th April 2010
By David Wiles
A PROMINENT Swindon venue is to re-open for the first time in more than a year thanks to a dedicated local family.
The Pipers Arms, in Devizes Road, Old Town, closed in February last year after the previous owners decided to cut their loses following a legal disagreement.
But now a family firm, ABR Leisure Ltd, has acquired the popular venue and is working to reopen it as a free house called The Pig on the Hill.
Operations manager Daniel O’Connell, who has management experience in several local pubs, including The Savoy in Regent Street, said the venture would bring something new to Old Town.
“The thing that will set us apart is the fresh food from local suppliers, the quality drinks, and the reasonable prices,” he said.
“The building is in a big prominent location and I think that people in this area have been crying out for someone to do something with it to bring customers into Old Town.”
The family decided to call the pub the Pig on the Hill after the translation of the Anglo-Saxon word Swine Dun, from which the name Swindon is thought to derive.
“We toyed with a few different ideas but because this is such a landmark building in Old Town, we felt we needed to do something which referred to the history of the area,” said Mr O’Connell, 34, a former St Joseph’s School student.
Work to completely renovate the pub, which will include redecorating the interior and exterior, started on April 12 and is expected to end in late May or early June.
The new 80-seater venue will feature a new bar, two lounge seating areas, two high seating areas, two fixed seating areas, new toilets, and seven plasma screen televisions.
There will be a large beer garden, including a gazebo and smoking shelter, with seating for an additional 120 guests.
The pub will serve drinks and traditional food throughout the day, specialising in grilled dishes, such as steaks and sausages.
Mr O’Connell said he wanted it to be a ‘family pub, open to all’.
He said he was not concerned about opening in the economic crisis because he would focus on quality service and developing customer loyalty.
The family is currently seeking staff, including a manager, head chef and bar staff.
For more information, visit the pub’s Facebook page.
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