Pub licensees Jo and Keith Walkley-Pratt have celebrated 30 years working with Arkell’s, at four of the Wiltshire brewer’s venues.
Arkell’s directors with the Walkley-Pratt family, outside The Bear in Wantage
Their story began in 1995 at their village pub, The Royal Oak in Bishopstone. A local newspaper covered the moment, capturing Jo, Keith, and their baby daughter Ellie behind the bar as they began their first tenancy.
Five years later, they outgrew their village pub and took on the newly-refurbished GW Bar in Swindon, which they ran for nearly a decade. Before relocating to The Bear in Wantage, they also managed The Rose and Crown in Ashbury with Jo’s parents.
They have been at The Bear — a pub, restaurant, and hotel with 34 en-suite rooms — for 16 years. Today, their daughters, Ellie, sous chef, and Georgia, front of house manager, lead the way at The Bear. But Jo and Keith remain closely involved, supporting them and keeping the pub a true family business at the very heart of Wantage.
“From our very first meeting with James Arkell 30 years ago, we’ve always felt encouraged and supported,” said Jo. “Arkell’s have stood with us through every scheme, refurbishment, and challenge, as well as through the banking crisis, recessions, and pandemic.
“We’ve had an amazing time at each Arkell’s pub and can’t imagine doing anything else. With the garden parties, race days, and Christmas parties, Arkell’s has always made us feel part of the family.”
To mark the occasion, members of the Arkell family and brewery directors visited The Bear to personally congratulate Jo and Keith on their 30 years.
James Arkell, chairman of Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We were all thrilled to celebrate 30 years of Jo, Keith, and family with Arkell’s Brewery. They are a highly professional, successful family, and we have enjoyed knowing them and working with them for all these years.
“It has been a pleasure. It’s fantastic that they have achieved such a length of service, and wonderful that it’s a real family affair.”
