The Rolleston Arms, known as The Rolly, and the Level 3 music venue beneath it at 73 Commercial Road, Swindon, were being marketed for sale when Swindon24 reported on Friday 4 September 2026 that Swindon Culture Collective was organising a public discussion about the building's future.
What was for sale?
- The freehold of 73 Commercial Road, at around £450,000 plus VAT.
- An 8,267 sq ft building on four levels, with nine letting bedrooms and a live music venue for up to 400 people.
- The sales particulars say it is not listed, is not in a conservation area and could be converted to other uses, subject to planning permission.
What was the meeting?
Swindon Culture Collective invited musicians, former customers, promoters and residents to a public meeting on Monday 28 September 2026, 7.30pm to 9pm, at 19 Canal Walk, the former Argos store in the Brunel Centre. Community ownership was among the options being explored; no purchase had been announced.
The Collective said: "One of Swindon's most important music venues is under threat and now up for sale."
How did it get here?
Matt Keeble took over the pub and venue in February 2026 and reopened the pub on 15 March. In May he announced The Rolly would close on Friday 5 June 2026, saying footfall was not consistent enough to make it viable.
CAMRA records the premises as licensed since 1891. The downstairs venue has also traded as The Furnace and Basement 73, and has hosted Bring Me The Horizon, Don Broco, Bad Manners, UK Subs, Wheatus, Mastodon and The Wedding Present.
Source: Swindon24.