Crown & Anchor named in SA’s Music Hall of Fame amid public outcry over development

An Aussie music icon has joined the chorus to save the Crown & Anchor as its future remains uncertain — despite being recognised with SA music’s highest accolade.

While its future remains under a cloud, live music institution the Crown & Anchor will officially join the ranks of SA’s most hallowed venues and musicians – with the pub to be inducted to the state’s Music Hall of Fame.

It comes as Aussie music legend Tex Perkins and his Beasts of Bourbon bandmates paid homage to the venue on learning of its plight.

In bittersweet recognition, the pub, affectionately known as ‘the Cranker’, will join an esteemed list of inner-city venues including The Wheatsheaf and The Governor Hindmarsh in being awarded for its contribution to SA’s musical heritage.

Music SA chair Dr Enrico Morena said the Crown & Anchor – now the last remaining live music venue of its size in the city’s east end – was part of Adelaide’s folklore and a hallmark of the city’s music culture.

“Long may this legacy continue, giving a voice to the creative expression of South Australia’s nascent musicians,” Mr Morena said.

The announcement comes after plans by Singaporean developer Wee Hur Holdings Pty Ltd to develop multistorey student housing on the site were unveiled, putting the pub’s 171-year history “at great risk”.

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

Crown & Anchor proprietor Tom Skipper, who holds the lease to the venue, revealed he only learned of development plans when they were publicly released – a move that prompted swift public outcry.

Proprietor Tom Skipper (right) with Crown & Anchor supporter group members Liberty Li, Dan Bogan Kirk, and Evan Morony. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Skipper – who also owns adjacent venues Roxie’s and Chateau Apollo – took over the Crown & Anchor in 2017.

He said he had been humbled by the wave of public support to save the venue, with a grassroots petition to state parliament already receiving almost 18,000 signatures.

“We’ve got a tight-knit community that frequents the venue. It’s more than just a place to gather for so many, it’s like a little sanctuary and a home away from home,” Mr Skipper said.

“Emerging artists have found inspiration to play here, patrons have lasting connections through their experience with bands that they might have seen here.

“I can’t speak highly enough about how important (the venue) is for so many people.”

The battle has extended beyond The Cranker’s Adelaide following, with Sydney blues rockers Beasts of Bourbon this week joining the chorus to protect the pub.

On Friday, the group, led by guitarist Kim Salmon — who has performed at the venue in several outfits over the years — posed with a “Save The Cranker” sign following a gig on the other side of the city at The Gov.

Earlier this week, dozens of members of the ‘Save the Cranker’ community group took to Town Hall and Parliament House in a bid to pressure the government to step in and secure the pub’s future.

Council voted on Tuesday night to write to the premier “expressing concerns about the potential loss of a key live music venue”, while the Greens on Wednesday introduced a motion proposing an overhaul of the state’s planning laws to consider “cultural and social value” in development assessment for heritage sites.

Supporter group member Evan Moroney said the motion offered an opportunity to “bridge political divides and preserve what makes Adelaide special”.

“We all want the city to grow … in balance with its existing vibrancy, not at the cost of it,” Mr Moroney said.

“This is a pivotal moment for all members of state parliament to reflect on and prioritise preservation of that which makes Adelaide special.”

The Cranker is being admitted into the SA Music Hall of Fame – just as its future is thrown into doubt. Picture Dean Martin

In the past six months, the CBD has haemorrhaged live music and hospitality venues in a spate of closures – an issue Mr Skipper attributes to rising prices across the board.

The groundswell of support for the Cranker, Mr Skipper hoped, would push the state government to step in and secure Adelaide’s year-round vibrancy.

“We’ve got these one-off big state events, but often they’re actually bankrolling an interstate promoter or event company,” he said.

“But there are businesses that run 52 weeks of the year that provide vibrancy in the city, and they’re the ones that actually need propping up and investment.

“They do it day in, day out, for 365 days of the year – that’s where the importance lies.”

While the Crown & Anchor’s future remains under a development cloud, Mr Skipper urged its supporters to continue their advocacy.

“The best thing (the public) can do is write letters of support when SCAP (the State Commission Assessment Panel) opens for public consultation on the application,” he said.

“Jump on the Facebook page or the website and sign the petition, every little bit helps.

“Music’s always been a central part of this is venue and to have the Hall of Fame recognition has been fantastic … so let’s hope it lasts and the venue’s still around to showcase a lot more.”

Originally published as Crown & Anchor named in SA’s Music Hall of Fame amid public outcry over development