‘Save the Cranka’ petition launched after Wee Hur Holdings’ student housing plans for the Crown & Anchor revealed

A groundswell of music lovers has appeared to protect Adelaide’s famous “Cranka” from developers whose plans have put the beloved East End pub’s future in doubt.

The future of the Crown & Anchor on Grenfell St is uncertain after a Singaporean developer lodged plans for student accommodation on the site.

Thousands of music lovers are rallying to protect the future of CBD institution the Crown & Anchor, saying plans to develop multistorey student housing on the site have put the pub’s 171-year history “at great risk”.

A ‘Save the Cranka’ Facebook group supporting the petition, launched on Friday, has already gathered almost 4000 members.

“The Crown & Anchor Hotel is more than just a building. It’s a symbol of our community, our history, and our love for live music,” organiser Matt Barnes said.

“This hotel has significant heritage value, but more so its value as a cultural site. It is a church to many. A safe haven, a senate, a party, a listening ear, a delightful ale.

“The hotel serves as a meeting place, a melting pot of society where people from all walks of life come together.”

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Last week, The Advertiser revealed Singapore-based purpose-built student accommodation developer Wee Hur Holdings Ltd had applied for planning consent with the State Planning Commission for construction of a multi-level student accommodation building at 188 and 196 Grenfell St.

Music lovers across Adelaide are rallying to save CBD institution the Crown & Anchor. Picture: Sarah Reed

The sites are currently home to venues Roxie’s and Chateau Apollo, Midnight Spaghetti and the Crown & Anchor – best known to Adelaide’s live music fans as the ‘Cranker’ or ‘Cranka’.

The heritage-listed, Victorian-era building cannot be knocked down, but the proposed “partial demolition and adaptive reuse” of the site has thrown the pub’s business operations into doubt.

Last week, the Crown & Anchor’s proprietor Tom Skipper warned that venues like the ‘Cranker’ must be preserved so that “the next generation of Australian musos can get their start”.

“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,” Mr Skipper said.

“Our history is not just in our walls and our floors. We are privileged to have had some of Australia’s best bands, including Tex Perkins and the Superjesus grace our stage, and to have assisted in launching the careers of Bad//Dreems, the Grenadiers and so many more.

“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.”

The venue’s facade is heritage listed, but patrons fear for the pub’s future after development plans were lodged to build multi-level student accommodation on the site.

On Friday, Greens MLC Robert Simms said the venue’s closure would be a “huge loss” for Adelaide’s cultural heritage, urging developers to eye a different location for student housing to preserve the CBD’s already flailing hospitality and arts scene.

“For over 30 years, countless local and touring independent bands have entertained South Australian audiences on the Cranker’s stage,” Mr Simms said.

“While it’s clear that there is a significant need for new housing to address the ongoing housing crisis, there are already vacant sites in the CBD that could be investigated for use instead of constructing a tower on the location of one of the handful of CBD pubs that still regularly hosts live music.”

Rumours have been circulating for years regarding the future of the site and venues after South Australian developer Karidis Corporation purchased the 188 Grenfell St site in 2004, before acquiring the Crown & Anchor site in 2016.

Karidis Corporation confirmed to The Advertiser that it still owned the land, but declined to provide details about any future development.

Developer Wee Hur Holdings Ltd has been approached for comment.