Camborne Pub Licensees Celebrate 30 Years at The Vyvyan Arms Hotel

Belinda (Billy) and Scott Sowden are marking thirty years as licensees at The Vyvyan Arms Hotel in Camborne, a pub with a history that stretches back almost two centuries.

First recorded in the 1856 Post Office Directory as The Vyvyan Arms Inn, the public house with rooms was established during Cornwall’s mining boom. Nearly 200 years later, it remains a well known spot on the town’s main street.

Billy began working behind the bar while still in her late teens.

“I was in my late teens when I started serving behind the bar,” said Billy. “After working for different landlords, Scott and I were given the chance of taking over in February 1996 and decided to give it a go.”

Three decades on, the couple say they are proud of their long standing role in the town.

“We’re proud to be the town’s longest serving licensees and look forward to many more years here yet.”

Nearly Two Centuries of History

The Vyvyan Arms Hotel takes its name from the Vyvyan family, who have lived at Trelowarren on the Lizard peninsula since the fifteenth century. Although they never owned the pub building, the family were prominent Cornish landowners and are recognised in street signage across the area.

The building itself has also sparked interest from visitors curious about the town’s past.

“People come in asking about the history including some Americans who brought two coins minted locally by the Vyvyans during the English Civil War,” said Billy. “The coins are very rare, so it was fascinating to see them.”

Standing Strong in a Challenging Industry

Running a pub for three decades is no small achievement. In 2025 alone, almost one UK pub closed every day.

Billy believes the answer lies in hard work and strong support from the community.

“We work hard, have loyal customers and staff and don’t put up with bad behaviour,” she said.

“Camborne has had its issues in the past, but the troublemakers have moved on and there’s a real sense of everything improving. From all that I can see, the town is going from strength to strength.”

A Familiar Part of Camborne

The Vyvyan Arms Hotel is part of the Admiral Taverns community pub group and has been a member of BID Camborne since 2011, when the Business Improvement District was first voted in.

Anna Pascoe, BID Manager, praised the couple’s long service to the town.

“We wholeheartedly congratulate Billy and Scott on their thirty year anniversary,” said Anna Pascoe.

“They do a great job of creating a vibrant, welcoming place for residents and visitors alike and are a mainstay of our town centre. Frosty, their grey parrot, is a proper local celebrity too.”

More information about the venue can be found on the Camborne Town website.