Rumours Swirl That Deal to Save the Cranker Is ‘Imminent’

The latest news on the Crown & Anchor development

Some good news may soon arrive for the thousands of people who have turned up and worked hard to save the beloved live music venue and pub, the Crown & Anchor. This morning, David Penberthy took to the mic on FIVEAA’s weekdays to say that a deal to save the Cranker could ‘be imminent’.

“We’re hearing that the Crown and Anchor is very close to being saved,” he stated. “My understanding is that the Premier has taken personal carriage of this issue and has been involved in a number of meetings.

He continues: “The government, understandably, has been mindful of two things. It doesn’t want to set a precedent where it looks like it’ll come in from left field and start unilaterally banning or green-lighting major investments because it will be a red light to potential investors to the city. The other thing is that it needs to maintain student housing stock.

“But I’ve been told, I’ve got it on good authority, that through these meetings it’s now at a point where the developers have given up ground or are close to agreeing on giving up ground and that an elegant solution is soon to be unveiled.

“The deal is imminent.

“But apparently, in what’s going to be great news for this pub that’s been there for more than 100 years, the Cranker is going to be saved.”

In March, Singaporean developers Wee Hur Holdings Ltd. lodged plans 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.

The grassroots support has been swift, with more than 3000 people turning up to support saving the heritage-listed site in a rally outside Parliament House to ‘Save the Cranker’ in April.

The second Rally to Save the Cranker will occur this weekend, August 18, after an incredible 1,328 SCAP submissions were received by Plan SA, smashing the previous record.

Dave Gleeson from The Screaming Jets and rising troublemakers LOLA are performing at the upcoming Rally to Save The Cranker on Sunday, August 18.

You can find out more information about this weekend’s rally here.