A couple who specialise in fixing up pubs intend to reverse the fortunes of Wrougton’s The Check Inn and have already started embracing the local beer market.

Luke Monday and Annie Macefield moved from Aberystwyth to take on the Swindon pub and have praised the “fantastic” community spirit they’ve seen since reopening the establishment.

The Check Inn has had a turbulent three years, opening and closing under a number of landlords.

Fuller’s owns the building but the pub has now changed to a free-of-tie lease which means the pair can shop around for different beers and ales. 

Luke and Annie plan to build the place up “slowly but surely” to ensure its longevity and are enjoying “living and breathing pub every day”.

Swindon Advertiser:

“It’s an ideal situation for me. It’s a big DIY project so this is like gold dust,” Luke says.

“It’s been really busy so far and certainly on the weekend it’s been very positive.

“My background has been fixing up pubs in the middle of nowhere that are sort of on their last legs. I try and do what I can with them.

“I suspect this one will work because of the number of people from the community coming through the doors already.

“We want to build the reputation up and go from there. The bare bones of this place are really good and it’s certainly workable; it’s just been left a bit.

Swindon Advertiser:

“What we do is go through, do DIY projects, tidy it up a bit and work out what the area wants. At the moment it seems that making this place a lively boozer is the way to go.”

The new landlords are planning on rotating through the local breweries and have already stocked beers supplied by Broadtown Brewery, Hop Kettle Brewery and Ramsbury Brewery and Distillery. 

“It’s all about supporting the local economy. At the end of the day, that’s the important bit. The Broadtown has absolutely flown out

“As we go we want to get more and more local ales because there seems to be a big market,” Luke added.”

Luke and Annie’s ultimate aim is to make The Check Inn a “home away from home”.

Swindon Advertiser:

“Taking on a pub is a lifestyle choice. Your entire social life is here so you want it to be like you’re talking to your mates in the front room. 

“That old style of pub is just what we’re aiming for and it’ll be homely when you get that fire going in the winter,” they said.

The pair are hoping to launch a beer festival over the August bank holiday weekend as well as start the live music up for the Platinum Jubilee weekend.

Annie has enjoyed getting to know other pub landlords in the area.

She said: "We've got a lovely relationship with the pubs around the area because we're here to work alongisde them. We're all in the same boat."