Swindon Town legend's pride as local boozer survives cost of living crisis

A former Swindon Town star has opened up on how his local pub has battled through the cost of living crisis.

Phil King has spent the last 23 years as the landlord of The Dolphin pub on Rodbourne Road, but most Swindon sports fans will know him as an ex-footballer who played for Town, Exeter City and Sheffield Wednesday in the 1980s and 90s.

The footballer joined The Dolphin, an Arkell's pub, in 1995 after a ligament injury brought his career to a close and he struggled to know what to do next.

“I didn’t really know anything else other than football and so when my career as a footballer ended this sort of just fell into my lap and I love it," he told the Adver.

"I think it really suits my personality."

Ex-Town footballer Phil King still commentates on some matches today, in between running The Dolphin, (Image: Newsquest)

Although it is a small boozer that doesn't serve food, The Dolphin has continued to thrive under Phil's watch and is one of the few pubs in the area that has survived the cost of living crisis.

“We’re lucky to still be largely the same as what we always have been, but the amount of pubs that have closed since I've been here is unbelievable," he said.

"We used to have about 10 pubs within a mile radius of us, now almost all of them have gone.

"I feel very privileged to have some really loyal customers and a proper community we’ve built here."

The Dolphin's logo is a traditional dolphin depicted on old navigational maps. (Image: Newsquest)

It is clear from the moment you walk into The Dolphin that it is a pub founded on friendships and community, with an 'everyone knows everyone' feel to it.

Behind the bar are caricature paintings of past beloved customers who have died and continue to be remembered by the current regulars.

Despite the cost of living crisis, Phil has also worked hard to keep his prices as low as possible.

The Dolphin is kept alive by a loyal tight-knit community of regular pub-goers. (Image: Newsquest)

"We try to cope by selling more and keeping the prices low rather than other pubs in places like Old Town where the prices are probably slightly higher," said Phil.

“But it is hard. People’s habits have just changed because they cannot afford the lifestyles they used to have.

"For a lot of people now, a trip out to the pub is a rare treat really."

Although Phil admits The Dolphin is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, he hopes that the strong community foundations and his large personality can keep the establishment running for many more years to come.

"We’re really proud to still be here and still be serving pints to our regulars that love it," he added.