The Dockle Farmhouse in Swindon shut for a deep clean of its kitchen after staff and customers fell ill.

The Dockle Farmhouse unexpectedly closed at 4pm on Friday, July 12 with some customers saying they were kicked out early from the pub.

Since then, rumours online suggested the closure could be connected with food hygiene after diners at the JD Wetherspoon institution reported falling ill.

One customer said: “Me and five of my mates went there for the football on Wednesday. All of us that ate food have horrendous stomach bugs now.”

Dockle Farmhouse in Swindon 'closed until further notice'

Another said: “I have two kids who went on Wednesday night that have been sick since yesterday [Thursday, June 11].”

(Image: Dave Cox)

A third said: “Four of us went on Wednesday night. Three now have food poisoning.”

A spokesperson for Wetherspoon has confirmed that the decision to close was due to staff falling ill.

Closed over the weekend during Euro 2024 final featuring England and Spain, contractors carried out a “specialist hygiene clean”.

(Image: Dave Cox)

The spokesperson said: “Wetherspoon made the decision to close the pub due to the fact that some staff at the pub reported ill.

“A specialist hygiene clean was completed on Saturday.

“Those employees affected will not be returning to work until they have been clear of any symptoms for 48 hours.”

Last month, Swindon town centre’s Wetherspoons, The Savoy, was closed for a deep clean after suspected staff illness.

The closure lasted from Saturday to Tuesday during which time the pub was professionally cleaned.

Before this, the chain's Albany Palace in Trowbridge also closed following rat sightings in the perimeter of the pub in October 2023.

Wetherspoons pub forced to close after rat problems

The rats had been eating rubbish being left in a back alleyway behind the pub and another business.

The Albany Palace hit national headlines in February 2016 when a rat reportedly ran up the trouser leg of a customer and stole a chip out of his hand.

Customers were ushered out and the couple later received a £25 refund for their meal.

Best and worst Wiltshire Wetherspoons ranked by Tripadvisor

Of all the 10 Wetherspoons pubs in Wiltshire, The Dockle Farmhouse ranks seventh by Tripadvisor ratings.

The Bridge End Road establishment has a three out of five score, with 93 “excellent” reviews making up 21.4 per cent of all ratings.

One enthusiastic reviewer wrote: “This place is one of the best pubs I’ve been to in all of the world. The atmosphere is one of the best I’ve ever seen. It reminds me of Wembley at times.”