Max Halley & Ethan Davids to open The Wellington Arms in Marlborough
17 November 2023
Sharing a lifelong love affair with the great British boozer and wishing to move away from the typical gastropub model, sandwich King and TV chef, Max Halley, and publican, Ethan Davids originally joined forces in November 2021 to start opening pubs together.
Having opened The Five Bells in Salisbury and The Sam Wellers in Bath, the duo’s latest addition comes in the shape of The Wellington Arms in the centre of the bustling market town of Marlborough in Wiltshire. Set to open on the 24th of November, the grade II listed building is currently under renovation to give the inside a fresh look. As with their other pubs, the pair are keen to adorn the pub walls with an eclectic mix of artwork, traditional pub tables and will be installing traditional banquette seating in a punchy mustard yellow.
The Welly, as they call it, is deceptively spacious and boasts all the nooks and crannies you would expect from a great boozer. Punters are welcomed with an L-shaped bar and a small fireplace and seating is spread across three separate areas.
The pair are always on the lookout for more pubs to open together; for them it’s pulling the focus back to everything we used to love about our local. They don’t always have to be somewhere for a meal but rather a place to meet, talk and be merry.
Ethan says: “The traditional wet-led city boozer has faced an uncertain future in recent years. As a result, some have tried to reinvent the wheel to ensure its survival. We’re doing the exact opposite and focusing on the basics - making sure the Wellington is a place for deep laughs, beautiful pints, and pickled eggs.”
