Arkells pub fights to reopen after floods

Licensees Paul and Michelle Gilbert of the Jolly Tar at Hannington near Swindon, Wiltshire, are battling against the floods in the hope of being open by the weekend.

The new licensees who had spent just two weeks after taking over behind the bar had to deal with three foot high floods as rainwater poured into the pub from the fields behind on Friday.

"We couldn't believe it," said Paul. "We'd only just put in new carpets, now we've lost around £15,000 in stock and equipment, but we hope to be open before this coming weekend."

Pub owners Arkell's were on the scene with staff and suppliers and have been busy helping Paul and Michelle get the pub back into a fit state to open.

Managing director James Arkell said: "They took over the pub at its busiest time of the year - the week before the International Air Tattoo at nearby RAF Fairford, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors then just a week later, along with thousands of others across the region; they were hit by the deluge last Friday," he added.

First time publicans Paul and Michelle are undaunted by their damp start to life behind the bar.

"We haven't lost anything we can't replace - even the carpet, and both the Brewery and the local villagers have been really generous with their help," said Paul, who spent 22 years working as a chef for Swindon companies such as Motorola and Nationwide, including six years as executive chef at Intel and the last few years as chef manager at Halcrow.

"We had a wonderful first two weeks before the rain and despite this setback, we can't wait to throw open our doors again.

"I've waited years to be my own boss, and it'll take more than a bit of rain to stop me now."