What is to be done when what was once a much-loved pub at the heart of a neighbourhood ends up empty and abandoned?
Many a community across the nation has faced and is still facing this question or a similar one. Often, and through no fault of anybody in the community, nothing can be done.
Spaces once filled with laugher and families continue to be home to nothing but dust, memories of better times and the odd remnant of broken furniture. Gardens where children once played as parents got together with friends become overgrown with brambles and lawns become impenetrable scrub.
However, such stories do not have to end this way, as a group of dedicated people in a Swindon community have proved and continue to prove.
When the Toot and Whistle pub opened in the Spring of 1981 in Dunwich Drive at the Village Centre, the neighbourhood it served was itself in its infancy. The name of the shiny new venue, a pun on the name of that neighbourhood and Swindon’s long association with railways, was chosen following a local children’s competition.
Some years later, as is not uncommon, there was a change of name and the Toot and Whistle became The Village Tavern. Early this century there was a £100,000 refurbishment by the then owners, culminating in a high-profile reopening.
However, in 2019 the pub closed for the last time and the building remained unused for several years.
And now?
Anybody visiting will find The Hub@Toothill, a vibrant and growing community space which is, among other roles, a centre for local events, a cafe, a bar and a place with a bright function room for hire. There is even a delightful and well-stocked book corner where people are welcome to take some time out and lose themselves in a story.
It is a not-for-profit endeavour, meaning any surplus beyond then costs associated with operating it will be used to benefit the community.
The story that began with the empty pub and continues with the vibrant new space is one of determination and enterprise by community members.
Greta Richardson is one of the directors and also General Manager.
“What we want to create here,” she said, “is a community space that can be used by local residents and different groups. We have a function room that can be hired out and we’ve had parties booked there already. Upstairs there are two meeting rooms that can also be rented out.”
The cafe is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 3.30pm, and the bar from 4-10pm on those days and noon to 8pm on Sundays. “We’re very mindful that we’re still in a residential area,” Greta said.
“Although the building used to be a pub, it’s no longer a pub - we’re a community space that happens to have the facilities of a bar!
Upcoming events include a Summer Craft Market
“We want to see the community coming together - it’s a welcoming environment where people can feel comfortable.”
Fellow director Kareen Boyd recalled that back in 2010 it was announced that Toothill had been awarded a £1m National Lottery grant, and community members sought out local views as to how it might best be used.
“Over the years,” she said, “we consulted with the community who told us they wanted community facilities fit for the 21st century and concentrated here in the Village Centre.”
The process of acquiring and reopening the former pub, which entailed a great deal of renovation, was necessarily not a rapid one, not least because of the pandemic.
Another director, Peter Egan, said: “We engaged an architect who came up with plans. We put those plans out for construction companies, but then lockdown came along and everything came to a halt!” Another complication was the fact that covid sent building costs surging.
In spite of these challenges, the venue is already becoming a much-loved community space, and feedback has been excellent.
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