Swindon-based brewery and pub chain Arkell’s has officially opened its new 10-bedroom boutique hotel accommodation at The Sun Inn, Coate Water.
Arkell’s invested more than £500,000 in the development – part of an ongoing strategy to add accommodation to its pub estate. The brewery now has around 500 bedrooms across its estate of 100 pubs and hotels spanning Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.
It plans to add further rooms to its pubs where there is the space and potential demand.
Brewery director George Arkell said: “There is a growing demand for good accommodation in this part of Swindon which is almost next door to the Great Western Hospital, the Richard Jefferies museum as well as Coate Water Country Park.
“The more income-generating opportunities a pub has the better. If we consider that good quality accommodation would be of benefit to a pub and would serve the local community then it’s sensible to make the investment. The Sun Inn is a busy and thriving pub on the edge of Swindon with plenty going on around it and a very strong local community. It also sits in a large plot with plenty of parking and a new children’s playground. It’s a perfect place for people and we've enjoyed watching the new building rise from the ground over the summer months.”
After six months of construction, landlord Andy Moss thinks it’s got the best hotel view in town.
“We’re right next to Coate Water Park and the new hotel rooms look right over the park entrance. It’s also away from the road so our guests should hear birdsong not car engines as they drop off to sleep.”
Swindon-based Edmont Joinery was the main contractor on site. Managing director Craig Morton said: “It’s been great to work on such a substantial local project which will provide a useful new amenity to the local community.”
Pictured: Julie Moss, landlady of The Sun Inn, cuts the ribbon to open the new hotel accommodation with Mayor of Swindon Nick Martin and Arkell's Brewery director George Arkell
