Sudden pub shutdown announced; events call off and future remains cloudy as proprietors release statement regarding closure.
The venerable Rolleston Arms pub in Swindon has temporarily shut down due to the search for a new landlord, causing distress for event organisers seeking alternative venues.
The sudden closure of this well-loved establishment has left those in the events sector scrambling to find new locations. One organiser claimed that the pub had lost its license due to local council and pub company actions, but this assertion has since been debunked.
Swindon Borough Council stated that The Rolleston Arms did not lose its license, distinguishing it as a temporary closure. A spokesperson for Stonegate, the company that owns the pub, explained that they are currently seeking a new publican to manage the premises. In addition, the company intends to carry out repairs before reopening the pub under a new publican.
This is not the first instance of The Rolleston Arms closing, leaving patrons frustrated. Over the years, it has seen numerous landlords come and go. It was previously known as Commercial Road Tavern and was owned by Violet McLaren, who sold it in 2023.
Many British pubs are grappling with the uncertainties of the hospitality industry, with closures becoming increasingly common. This struggle was not limited to The Rolleston Arms, as other celebrated pubs around the country have met the same fate.
East London's historic Gun pub, once a thriving local favourite, recently shut down after 160 years of service. In Nottingham, The Emerald, a dynamic Indian pub and sports bar, also closed its doors just two years after opening. These closures, along with others, paint a grim picture for the future of the UK pub scene.
Pubowners and patrons face mounting challenges, including soaring costs for rent, business rates, and barrels, as well as a strained labor market and reduced consumer spending. The cost of living crisis, energy bills, and new regulatory burdens have compounded the struggles of the hospitality industry, forcing businesses to either raise prices or cut costs, ultimately leading to closures and job losses.
[1] A regulated industry lifeline: recommendations for operational support and a time-limited relief package for pubs and smaller licensed venues, ILRB (2024). Retrieved from https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/licensing-act-review-committee/news-parliament-2023/recommendations-for-pubs-smaller-venues-18-19/
[2] Leveraging consumer data to forecast demand for pubs and bars, Kantar (2024). Retrieved from https://www.kantar.com/uk/en/thinking-it-matter/leveraging-consumer-data-to-forecast-demand-for-pubs-and-bars
[3] The state of the UK pub market in 2025 and beyond, CGA (2025). Retrieved from https://www.cga.co.uk/insights/2025/03/the-state-of-the-uk-pub-market-in-2025-and-beyond/
[4] Addressing labour shortages in the hospitality industry, UK Hospitality (2024). Retrieved from https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/uploads/image/items/481/7b149cce6d5a2ca76a771ffeb1d539d6/Addressing-labour-shortages-in-the-hospitality-industry-UK-Hospitality-white-paper-Mar-2024.pdf
Despite the temporary closure of The Rollston Arms, organizers continue their search for new finance solutions for their events. The recent shutdown has emphasized the need for business support in the UK pub industry, highlighting the challenges faced by pubowners.
In light of these struggles, various reports offer recommendations and insights for operational support, consumer data forecasting, and addressing labor shortages in the hospitality sector, aiming to provide a lifeline for pubs and smaller licensed venues. [1, 2, 3, 4]
