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'Core of the village' pub reopens after new investment

Holly RattleyWiltshire
Geraldine Symonds A lady with short curly hair wearing a blue and red scarf (pub volunteer Geraldine Symonds) pictured smiling with three other local members of the community - two men and a woman. They are standing in the Swan Pub with Christmas fairy lights and the pub bell in the background. Geraldine Symonds
Geraldine Symonds (pictured left) and other local volunteers ran the Swan for five months

A pub described as "the core" of a village has reopened thanks to new local investment and voluntary efforts.

The Swan, which is the only pub in Enford, Wiltshire, had been run for five months by a group of volunteers, including Hollywood film star Rupert Everett, after its closure last summer.

The 16th Century pub closed again in January but has now reopened following a combination of new shareholders offering an undisclosed amount to the pub and continued voluntary support.

Volunteer Geraldine Symonds, who does bar shifts and tends to the beer garden, said "everyone had pulled together" to get the doors open.

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"We've had so many volunteers - people painting, gardening, fixing things…it's unbelievable," Symonds added.

Describing the pub as "the core" of the village, Symonds said: "It's essential. It's good for people's physical wellbeing and mental health."

The pubs volunteer roster includes actor Rupert Everett, who has featured in films including Another Country and My Best Friend's Wedding with Julia Roberts.

Joining the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) which represents pub-goers across the UK, Everett had previously described the Swan as the "beating heart" of the community.

"I am so excited for the future of the Swan, our pub tradition must be saved," he said.

CAMRA Hollywood film star Rupert Everett wearing a black top with the CAMRA logo on it standing behind the bar in the Swan pub pulling a pint. In the background there is a 'The Swan' sign, glasses and bottles, fairy lights and a vase of yellow flowers. CAMRA
The Swan's story went viral last year when actor Rupert Everett was pictured pulling pints behind the bar

New majority shareholders of the pub, married couple Sophie Cooper and Andrew Wiggins, moved to Enford last April and said everyone was "really excited" about having the pub back.

Cooper said: "It's a local hub where everyone can get together, socialise, and make sure nobody is on their own for too long."

"We're just really hoping we can make it work. It's a difficult industry and we are not experienced in running pubs. We're just going to give it our absolute best shot," Cooper added.

Geraldine Symonds A husband and wife - Sophie Cooper and Andrew Wiggins - sitting with a large golden-coloured dog outside the front of the Swan pub with green bushes and yellow daffodils either side of them and the 16th century thatched pub in the background. Geraldine Symonds
Sophie Cooper and Andrew Wiggins moved to Enford last April

According to CAMRA, pub closures have doubled over the last five years, as the industry battles rising costs and changing consumer habits. Last year alone, just under 800 pubs and bars closed in Britain.

The secretary of the Salisbury and South Wiltshire CAMRA branch, Steve Stringer, who will run the pubs cellar, said: "It's a fantastic thing for the village to have its pub back open with the intention that this is a long term fix to a difficult time.

"They call it 'hub in the pub' - it does bring the community together," he added.

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