Swindon’s newest pub has officially opened after being taken over by new management earlier this year.

Faical Ben Wahida, known in the community as Fazz, got the keys for The Roaring Donkey on Albert Street, Old Town, in August and has been working to refurbish the disused venue with a brand-new bar and interior.

Fazz told the Advertiser in October that he hoped to open The Roaring Donkey to punters before the end of November and right on time the pub reopened on Sunday, November 24.

Read More: Opening date for disused pub as new owner takes over

The storm did not stop people from checking out their new local and Fazz was delighted to show people the newly refurbished pub, after it closed its doors suddenly back in April.

Fazz told the Advertiser last month: “I’m looking forward to it. I have opened from scratch and spent a lot of energy on it, now I’m so excited that I’m counting the minutes and days. It’s a dream for me to see it happen.

“I live locally in Old Town and I would always see The Roaring Donkey on my way home or to work. I could see myself doing something with it.

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“A lot of places aren’t just pubs, they’re bars now and there’s not that many pubs in Old Town, so I’m trying to keep it as it is.

“There’s going to be new furniture and it will be more relaxing, I’ve kept the fire so it’s more cosy in the evening and winter. The drinks are going to be for everyone’s taste.

"There was a problem before they were missing people like women, couples and families, so I want to get people back to the pubs and make sure they feel safe and try to get a bit of variation back there.

(Image: Faical Ben Wahida)

“Over the years I’ve met a lot of people in Old Town so a lot of people are ready to come in. I was looking after them for more than 15 years as my regular customers. They are already excited to come in. It’s a pub for everyone.”

Although he will not be serving food, he will provide pub snacks for customers to enjoy with their pint and they are also welcome to bring in their own food.

Fazz is planning to welcome people in for the ‘grand opening’ on Saturday, November 29 and hopes the community will come down to support him after the Old Town Christmas light switch on.

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