Shared description
The Duke of Wellington and the George, Swindon
"AN AILING pub in the town could soon be transformed into bedsits if new plans are given the go ahead.
Proposals have been submitted to Swindon Council to transform the Duke of Wellington pub in Eastcott Hill into six bedsits and two one bedroom apartments.
The plans also include a two storey extension to the rear of the property.
The pub, often referred to as Swindon’s smallest pub because of its tiny dimensions, has been closed since April this year.
Within a matter of days, the George pub – which sits next to the Duke of Wellington – also called time and closed up.
John Doyle, 47, who is currently the landlord of the Queensfield in Stratton, was drafted in to turn the George around, but he has since been pulled off the project and he believes it is now up for sale.
He said: “It is really heartbreaking – how many more pubs are we going to lose?
“To lose two iconic and historic pubs on Eastcott Hill is such a blow to the town.
“People need to realise that once these pubs are gone they are gone. They are like corner shops – irreplaceable.
“These buildings are part of our heritage and they need to be saved. Someone needs to stand up and try and save them.
“History is being erased and these beautiful old pubs will be gone forever.
“People in Swindon have got to get out there and support their local pubs otherwise you will just be left with chain brands.”
The pub was named The Duke of Wellington because of his part bringing about legislation on the sale of alcohol in 1830.
Arkell’s bought the buildings in 1869. John Arkell, the great, great grandfather of the current Arkell’s chairman, James, bought the houses on Eastcott Hill and knocked them into one to open a beerhouse.
After he had done that he could not resist naming his new pub in honour of the military commander and politician.
The plans for the Duke of Wellington will be discussed by the council in the coming weeks."
4 images use this description:
Shared descriptions
This shared description
The 'Shared Description' text on this page is © copyright 2011 Brian Robert Marshall.
Shared descriptions are specifically licensed so that contributors can reuse them on their own images, without restriction.
About shared descriptions
These Shared Descriptions are common to multiple images.
For example, you can create a generic description for an object shown in a photo, and reuse the description on all photos of the object. All descriptions are public and shared between contributors, i.e. you can reuse a description created by others, just as they can use yours.
Explore images
View images using this "The Duke of Wellington and the George, Swindon" Shared Description
View images mentioning the words [The Duke of Wellington and the George, Swindon] anywhere in text
Links for SU1584
This description is located in SU1584.
Other shared descriptions
Descriptions nearby
- Footbridge over the Paddington to the west railway, Stratton
- Swindon Station
- The Swindon College site, Regent Circus, Swindon
- Swindon and Wiltshire Pride 2017
- Richard Jefferies sculpture
- St. Marks Church, Swindon
- Swindon Mens Shed
- Swindon, Wiltshire
- Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway
- Iffley Road Gas Works, Swindon
- Howse Gardens, Swindon
- New water feature, Swindon
- Town Gardens, Swindon
- Great Quarry SSSI Swindon
- Swindon Mela
- George Gay Gardens, Queens Drive, Swindon
- Pickard’s Small Field, Gorse Hill, Swindon
Related descriptions
- Pickard’s Small Field, Gorse Hill, Swindon
By Brian Robert Marshall. Used on 7 images
- George Gay Gardens, Queens Drive, Swindon
By Brian Robert Marshall. Used on 25 images
- Great Quarry SSSI Swindon
By Brian Robert Marshall. Used on 2 images
- Howse Gardens, Swindon
By Brian Robert Marshall. Used on 4 images
- New water feature, Swindon
By Brian Robert Marshall. Used on 5 images
- The Swindon College site, Regent Circus, Swindon
By Brian Robert Marshall. Used on 35 images
- Richard Jefferies
By Basher Eyre. Used on 5 images
The above selections are automatic and approximate, it might not always select closely matching descriptions