Keeping it in the family: Paul and Amy step back into The Brewer’s Arms

When Paul Studholme and his wife, Amy, took on the tenancy of The Brewer’s Arms at Wanborough earlier this year, it was like going home.

Paul grew up there with his adopted parents, and for the last decade the Arkell’s-owned pub has been run by Amy’s parents, who decided to retire from the business in April.

Now the well-known Swindon couple (Amy is a talented singer and Paul has run a number of pubs, including Long’s Bar in Old Town), are adding their own ideas to the successful pub, updating the decoration and menus just enough to offer a fresh feel to this popular country bar and grill, without abandoning what its regulars enjoy.

Paul said: “The Brewer’s has got a large garden and plenty of car parking.

“And it’s as big inside as out, with two bars and a small private dining room, so we’ve spent the summer redecorating the pub and the gardens, hearing what our regulars think makes the pub special and offering some fresh ideas to keep them entertained."

One of the new ideas is a modern take on the 1970s pub menu staple: Chicken in the basket.  Paul added: “It was always on the menu of every pub when I was a kid, but it disappeared in the 1980s.

“We’re bringing it back, offering a modern take on classic bar meals where customers can choose one or more dish to make a meal, great to share with groups of friends and inexpensive too.

"It’s great to be back behind the bar at his childhood pub. It’s like life has gone full circle, but this time it’s with Amy, which is absolutely brilliant."