The family firm has bought the Fox and Hounds in Haydon Wick and The King’s Arms Hotel in Malmesbury, paying the market price for both and expanding its portfolio to 107 properties.

The Fox and Hounds opened around 1840 as a country pub but is now part of Swindon following the town’s western expansion 30 years ago. However, it retains a rural feel and is well-supported by the local community, according to Arkell’s.

The King’s Arms is the brewery’s first acquisition in Malmesbury. It has 12 letting rooms, two bars, a restaurant and a function room for up to 120 people.

Chairman James Arkell said: “These new purchases fit our strategy of continual investment in pubs and small town hotels which have a thriving community around them.”

He said breweries and pub companies had to continually develop to keep pace with changes in the licensed industry.

“We’ve always known this and adapt our estate of pubs accordingly.” He said. “That’s why we’ve been in business for more than 160 years, just like the majority of fellow family brewers across the country who understand the licensed trade better than anyone.

“People want more from pubs than just a great pint of beer and someone to chat to – although those are essential.

“Good food is important for all licensed premises and a small country town hotel should be friendly and cosy with room for a good party.”

Over the past six years Arkell’s has made a number of significant investments in pubs and hotels across the region.

In 2006 it bought The Bear Hotel in the centre of Wantage, significantly upgrading its bars and accommodation to make it a thriving town centre hotel.

The following year it acquired the 16^th century 26-bedroom Lansdowne Strand Hotel in Calne, and in 2008 bought the iconic Riverside Inn at Lechlade, next to the most up-stream marina on the Thames.

In 2009 it turned its attention back to pubs and bought The Mason’s Arms at Meysey Hampton. Earlier this year it bought a closed Oxford pub reopening it as The Rickety Press. The pub, in Jericho, is once again thriving.

Alongside new investment, Arkell’s, which brews a range of beers including 2B, 3B and Kingsdown as well as seasonal ales, continually invests in its estate of pubs and earlier this year spent a six-figure sum upgrading The Bull Hotel, Fairford, which it has owned since 1973.

Commercial property specialists Colliers International has witnessed similar developments across the country as shoppers increasingly hunt bargains on the web rather than the high street. This is creating demand among retailers, including established ‘bricks and mortar’ store groups now selling from their websites as well the new generation of online only businesses, for large regional warehouses, in some cases re-using existing industrial buildings.

Retail analysts reported a rise of almost 14% in online buying on last year with an even more dramatic 35% increase in the number of people shopping for presents using mobile platforms. 

The retail group close to signing the deal in the West has not been identified but is understood to be a household name. It is expected to complete the significant deal early in the new year. It is not known if it will take an existing warehouse or develop its own.

Head of Colliers’ Bristol office Tim Davies said: “Dramatically changing shopping habits have resulted in millions of people sitting at home to track down their Christmas gifts online rather than traipsing about the high street. 

“We are seeing retailers returning to the industrial sector to ensure they have adequate logistical support for the unexpectedly steep surge in online business.”

The boom was originally triggered by food retailers expanding their home delivery services but it has now spread to general retailers.

“Contrary to most reports the public appears to be spending fairly freely but it is the way they are spending which is changing out of all recognition,” he said. “The whole process is being driven by advances in technology but, however people are buying, retailers still require a good old warehouse to support the increase in business.”

Workman LLP, a national firm of commercial property specialists, has taken a 3,055 sq ft unit on a 10-year lease at an annual rent of £18,350. Meanwhile, Retro Vehicle Services, which provides specialist automotive services, has taken three units totaling 6,225 sq ft on a 10-year lease at an annual rent of £29,569.

The two remaining units are available on a leasehold or freehold basis and provide 3,117 sq ft and 1,210 sq ft of accommodation.

Simon James of RO said: “RO24 Swindon is filling up now and these latest lettings have created a real buzz and demonstrates that businesses and private investors are still looking for opportunities in the right places.

“Stock levels of industrial property are falling across Swindon, so now is a good time for occupiers to talk to us regarding the last two units.”

Alastair Andrews of agents Loveday said: “RO Developments’ willingness to provide flexible terms to tenants and purchasers has helped make RO24 Swindon a success.

“We’re seeing a high number of inquiries from potential tenants and purchasers for the last two units and believe it won’t be long until the scheme is full.”

RO Developments was advised by Loveday. Workman LLP and Retro Vehicle Services were not represented.

Some 94% of retailers paid on time on quarter day – the day every three months when rents are due – up from 85% for the same quarter last year. The figure is a rare piece of good news from the beleaguered retail sector, which has been struggling against the slowdown in consumer spending.

Mike Bull, head of investment property management at Colliers International’s South West office, said the figures showed high street retailers and their landlords are communicating better and that recent difficult conditions had led to a better understanding between occupiers and landlords.

Several big name high street retailers were forced into administration, including Jane Norman, TJ Hughes and Habitat, during the lead-up to the previous quarter day in June.

And December’s quarter day will be crucial for many retailers as it will reflect the lead-up to Christmas – a period when many expect to make in the lion’s share of sales.

Mike Bull added: “Now is the time for landlords of retailers and their agents to be keeping in touch with tenants and keeping their eyes open for the tell-tale signs of a tenant in trouble.”

GreenSquare was formed in April 2008 and includes housing associations Oxford Citizens and Westlea, commercial subsidiary Oakus Estates and in-house construction firm Tidestone. It also works in partnership with designer Kevin McCloud’s company Hab in the joint venture Hab Oakus.

Family-owned G W Sparrow was established in 1974 and provides plumbing and heating services across Wiltshire. Managing director Robert Sparrow will continue to head the business as it develops further as part of GreenSquare’s Oakus subsidiary.

GreenSquare director of commercial management Tom Pritchard said: “GW Sparrow is already a company with firm foundations and a long-established customer base and we think that, under our ownership, the company has great scope to further develop and grow in the future.

“The company has increasingly been involved in renewable energy installations and this is of particular interest to us as it will be brilliant to have this expertise within the group."

Mr Sparrow added: “The future of GW Sparrow is exciting and we look forward to working together for growth in all sectors especially renewable energy installations.”

As well as managing its 10,000-strong property portfolio, GreenSquare also builds  social housing and homes with affordable rents, market rents and for sale.

Lead corporate finance adviser on the sale was accountants and business advisers Baker Tilly in Bristol with legal advice coming from Bond Pearce’s office in the city.

Baker Tilly corporate finance partner Nick Harber said: “GreenSquare’s acquisition of G W Sparrow is a good reflection of its capability and patience to complete a transaction in spite of the uncertain economic conditions. With future investment in the business, G W Sparrow will be an excellent addition to GreenSquare’s services.”

The 800,000 sq ft distribution centre is the largest of three units on Gazeley’s 98-acre G. Park Swindon site and was handed over to B&Q six weeks ahead of schedule in May 2011.

The hotly-contested award recognised this early completion and along with Gazeley’s ability to deliver the £70m project in just 32 weeks, part of which fell during one of the worst winters on record.

The prize was collected by Gazeley’s UK operations director Alex Verbeek at n awards ceremony in London’s Park Lane Hotel.

Alex said: “This was a tough category with some strong competition and we are delighted with the result. The project at G. Park Swindon was a key development for us in 2011 and this award is testament to the effort and dedication of the whole team involved.”

The category was sponsored by Dowley Turner Real Estate.

The nine-month programme of major improvements will give priority to pedestrians, safely separating them from traffic.

There will be new passenger drop-off areas, a clearly-defined taxi rank with 15 spaces and a new bus lane and shelter.

The whole area will be made more attractive with granite paving, trees, improved signs, lighting and seating. 

The scheme also aims to overcome one of the key issues faced by visitors to Swindon arriving by train – how to reach the town centre by foot.

As well as better signs, the design will clearly indicate the route by continuing the forecourt’s granite paving over the Station Road pedestrian crossing and along to Wellington Street.

Ian Piper, of Forward Swindon, the Council’s regeneration company which is leading the project, said the existing station area did not yet reflect the town’s important strategic location between London and Bristol.

“We are delighted to be driving this project for the benefit of Swindon,” he said. “The result will be an impressive entry point into Swindon for business visitors and residents. “

Forward Swindon has negotiated finance for the scheme and will be overseeing the project. More than half the funding has come from central Government with the remainder from Swindon Borough Council and Network Rail. 

Damian Poulter of main contractors Britannia Construction said: “Being involved in this key regeneration project for Swindon is exciting for us. Over the next nine months we will be working to ensure minimum disruption and to keep station users, local businesses and stakeholders well informed of progress and access routes in and around the station."

Patrick Hallgate, route managing director for Network Rail, added: "The recent upgrade in the station by Network Rail and the plans ahead for the station forecourt will make a big difference for the community and businesses that rely on the railway for thousands of journeys every day.”

The forecourt work comes ahead of Swindon town centre’s planned 17-acre, flagship Union Square mixed-use development.

Sovereign, which is based in Newbury and has an office in Swindon, plans to swap its 641 homes in Somerset with Knightstone Housing Association in return for 719 in Swindon and Wiltshire.

The two say the deal will give their residents a more locally-based and efficient service, including an improved repairs and maintenance service.

Knightstone and Sovereign are formally consulting residents affected by the potential transfer in an exercise expected to end in mid-November. Residents’ views will be a key consideration before a final decision is made, Sovereign and Knightstone said.

Sovereign managing director Heather Bowman said: “Knightstone has a strong presence in Somerset, and we are confident that the proposed transfer to Knightstone will lead to a more responsive service.

“Similarly, we can assure Knightstone residents in Swindon and Wiltshire that they will receive a quicker and more local service because we are more embedded in the community here.

“The proposed stock swap and more local service it provides will result in efficiencies for both businesses, which will mean reinvestment in services and providing more high-quality affordable homes.”

Knightstone chief executive Nick Horne said the move is part of its plan to concentrate its services across nine local authorities.

“These planned property swaps are part of a package of bold changes that will transform what we do, how we do it and where we do it," he said.

"The government changes to housing policy, rents, tenures and welfare benefits as well as the current economic climate, mean major challenges for us, our residents and partners in the years ahead.

“We’re very pleased to be progressing these negotiations with Sovereign. We’re both committed to providing an excellent service to our customers and through our local presence in each area we can assure residents from both organisations that they’ll continue to receive great service.

“Our goal is to make a real difference in our communities and invest more in supporting neighbourhoods so they are places where people continue to want to live. This first stock swap will help us achieve just that.”