CROWN & ANCHOR RELEASE DEVELOPMENT PLANS STATEMENT
Current Cranker custodian Tom Skipper provides more information on the student accommodation development proposal.
Image via @thecrankerhotel (Instagram)
As reported on Friday, one of Adelaide’s favourite watering holes, the historic Crown & Anchor, is under threat from Singaporean developers. Wee Hur Holdings Ltd. have applied for planning permission with the State Planning Commission to transform 188 and 196 Grenfell Street – home to the Cranker, Roxie’s, Chateau Apollo and Midnight Spaghetti – into student housing.
In what comes as no surprise to anyone, the public hasn’t taken too kindly to this, with outrage growing amongst the wider community.
While there has been no statement about the proposed construction from Wee Hur Holdings Ltd. or South Australian developer Karidis Corporation, who took ownership of the site in 2016, current Cranker custodian Tom Skipper, aka Skip, has taken to social media to release a statement on the matter.
“You may have seen the news that a development application has been lodged over our site, so I thought I should let you know where I stand,” the statement begins.
“I don’t own the Crown & Anchor – I am its latest custodian, a role I don’t take lightly. Since it was first licensed in 1853, generations of South Australians have been part of its history and we are determined to continue a tradition of cold beer, great friends and loud music.
“Our history is not just in our walls and floors. We are privileged to have had some of Australia’s best bands, including Tex Perkins and the Superjesus, grave our stage, and to have assisted in launching the careers of Bad//Dreems, the Grenadiers and so many more.
“We want to see Adelaide develop and grow, but not at the expense of live music and it is critical we preserve venues so the next generation of Australian musos can get their start.
“Nothing is set in stone at this stage and we will continue work to ensure the Crown and Anchor remains the uniquely Adelaide institution that we all love.” – Skip
As Skip says in his statement, “nothing is set in stone,” but it’s still worrying that a historic and Heritage-listed building such as the Cranker could be turned into apartments, especially when there are many other empty sites around Adelaide.
While everyone is still waiting for more details about the application and what the next step is in terms of protecting the pub, the best thing we can do as patriotic South Aussies is support Adelaide venues like the Cranker, Grace Emily, Ancient World and more.
Go see a band or have a pint in your local this weekend and let the staff and management know that we have their backs. And be sure to hit up your local MP and the premier himself, Peter Malinauskas (premier@sa.gov.au).
#CRANKERFOREVER
