Bodell’s, it’s a knockout!

Now let’s be honest, if you live in Swadlincote and you fancy a decent pint of Real Ale, Craft Keg or Real Cider, the first thing you do is leave town. It says a lot that the best pub in the town centre for CAMRA members is a Wetherspoon’s; this isn’t knocking the Sir Nigel Gresley as the beer is always drinkable but it is a Spoons; it is cheap, cheerful but never going to trouble the CAMRA Pub of the Year list. This week things are set to change when a new Micropub called Bodell’s opens its doors on Belmont Street in the downstairs of what used to be The Yard.

The last five years have seen an explosion in the phenomena of the Micropub, but what exactly is a Micropub? There is no hard and fast CAMRA approved classification and no doubt what is and what isn’t has fuelled many a discussion, but for sake of argument the Facebook group ‘Micropubs in the UK’ describes one as “… a small freehouse which listens to its customers, mainly serves cask ales, promotes conversation, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment and dabbles in traditional pub snacks.” Locally there is the Cask & Pottle at Tutbury and the Fuggle & Nugget, The Junction and The Last Heretic in Burton.

Now talking of The Last Heretic, those who have frequented there will recognise one of the faces behind Bodell’s; Pete Spittals. Pete opened the Heretic three years ago on Station Street in Burton and his business has gone from strength to strength.

“My background in the pub trade is very limited,” says Pete who was Airline Cabin Crew before becoming a Heretic. “I worked in pubs in 1985-6 and that was it really until I opened The Last Heretic. I remember resigning from a pub I worked in because the Manager wouldn’t let me have the England v Poland game off in the Mexico ‘86 World Cup; Lineker scored a hattrick if I recall,” he laughs.

Pete’s business partner is Ashley Ayling and this marks his first venture into the pub trade.

“Apart from occasional bar work when I was younger, absolutely none whatsoever,” confesses Ash when quizzed about his pub experience “Plenty of drinking from the other side of the bar however!” Ash however relishes the challenge, “I am looking forward to it.”

Pete and Ash first met in The Last Heretic and then became friends after seeing each other at Burton Albion and over a few pints began to talk about an idea that Pete had.

“Everyone who came into The Last Heretic from Swadlincote was telling me to open a place in Swad, I was even approached by the Chief Executive of South Derbyshire District Council Frank McArdle!” says Pete. “I looked at other properties in Swad, including the newly opened Fish & Chip Shop, but thought them all a bit on the small side? I didn’t want a successful business to be hampered by size if it really took off. The space outside Bodell’s is fantastic!”

The pub is named in homage to Swadlincote’s most famous son Jack Bodell; for those of you who are unfamiliar with who Jack was, his son Mark explains.

“Jack Bodell was an English professional boxer, active during the 1960s and 1970s,” says Mark, rightly proud of his Dad’s achievements. “He was born in Swadlincote on 11 August 1940 and started out as a light heavyweight, winning the 1961 ABA Championships and a bronze medal at the European Amateur Championships the same year. He won the British Heavyweight Championship in 1969, before losing it to Henry Cooper in his first defence, although he regained the title a year later by out-pointing Joe Bugner. Dad’s final professional record was 58 wins (including 31 by knockout) and 13 losses. He died on 9 November 2016 at the age of 76.”

There have been a few comments on Social Media that Pete and Ash are cashing in on the Bodell name which is of course completely untrue.

“I have provided some boxing memorabilia to display in the pub,” Mark states. “My father would have been proud to have a pub named after him in his home town, I think most people would. He never forgot his roots and before his dementia prevented it, he would visit the town regularly on a Friday for a game of dominos and a pint of shandy mostly at the Foresters on High Street if I remember correctly. He did this even after moving to Coventry for many years.”

Bodell’s will offer a wide range of drinks, that will cater for all tastes, but as anyone who has enjoyed a pint in a Micropub with attest, the appeal goes further than just the drinks; it is the friendly welcome, the knowledgeable host and the ability to converse with not only your friends but also the other customers without the distraction of blaring music or a football match on the TV.

“There will be eight Hand Pulls and twelve Keg Lines, so more Craft Beer will be available than what is in the Heretic,” Ash says excitedly. “Freedom Lager will be permanently served and we will be offering a selection of ciders and a range of gins, wines and other spirits. Food on offer will be crisps, nuts, scratchings and pork pies although we are exploring the possibility of food vendors based outside as events.”

For those who attended the Transport Festival, you may have noticed that Bodell’s was in business, Pete and Ash had decided to have a “soft opening” to enable them to iron out any issues ahead of the official opening on Thursday. The first customer to be served was Stephen Hunt from Claymore Drive in Newhall.

“It’ll be a godsend in the Real Ale desert that is Swadlincote,” says Stephen supping his beer. “Pete is a really good host and he knows about people. I’m excited!” He laughs. “It’ll have the same vibe as the Heretic.”

Another drinker Kevin Plant, from Chiltern Road in Swadlincote agrees.

“It is what Swad needs, it’s good that there is no TV or fruit machine,” reckons Kevin. “I like all the old pub food too.”

Local CAMRA members Mark Murkin and Becky Lenaghan popped in for a quick pint.

“We arrived at just before 1pm,” says Becky. “The place was heaving already. It seems like the decision to open for the afternoon was a really good idea. The venue itself is really nice, the outdoor seating is a big bonus, the bar is really well sized and the staff seemed to be coping really well with the amount of customers. This is definitely what has been needed in Swad for a long time.”

Bodell’s opens officially at 3pm on Thursday 16 May, see you there!

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All photographs by Netty Webster