A second rally to Save the Cranker has been organised in the fight to save beloved CBD venue, the Crown & Anchor Hotel.
Organisers behind the Save the Cranker team announced the upcoming rally for Sunday, August 18th at 1pm. The rally will kick off at Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga, where people are urged to come along and show their support as they march down to the steps of Parliament House.
“We want the rally itself to be a fun demonstration so we’re encouraging people to bring instruments. We’ll have a ‘supergroup’ of local music heroes playing on the back of a truck when we march. And once we hit Parliament House, Dave Gleeson from the Screaming Jets and the Angels will jump up and play a couple of familiar tunes with local band, LOLA. Dave was one of the first responders when the news got out to show his public support so it’s a nice full circle,” shares Dr. Nazz Oldhamm director of Community and UniSA Program Director.
Dr. Oldhamm continued, “After the rally, we’ll head back to the pub for cold beer and more live bands. Midnight Spaghetti will be open upstairs from 3pm too for hungry punters wanting to dine on tasty pasta.”
Sitting on the corner of Grenfell and Union streets, the Crown and Anchor is an iconic pub and music venue known for its long-standing support of original live music.
The site in which the pub sits has been proposed to be demolished, and replaced with a soaring 19-storey tower.
“This is a very real fight to save this wonderful venue. The business is going great. The threat to her existence is a proposal to demolish the site which currently houses the Cranker, Roxies, and Chateau Apollo and build a 19-storey student accommodation in its place,” says Dr. Oldhamm.
“Let’s be clear, we are fighting for carefully managed development that allows our city to grow, where the old sits next to the new, and that protects existing vibrancy, successful business, long-established community, and cultural heritage. There is no shortage of vacant or unused sites close by. Why destroy something so special?”
The pub first opened its doors to the public in 1853, and its legacy is so significant that it was recently inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame. At this time it’s clear to see that the pub has become a cultural icon for South Aussies, and the fight to save it is definitely set in motion.
Dr. Nazz Oldhamm said, “The old girl is 171-years-old and still going strong. She’s older than our state’s parliament house (and the Eiffel Tower!) and a significant building for South Australia both in terms of history and cultural heritage.
“For over 30 years, the Cranker has been a haven for alternative culture and local, national and international live music in Adelaide’s East End, the cultural hub of the CBD. She’s still a really popular venue, all year round. A night at the Cranker is still one of the best and most affordable nights out you can have.”
“We have people power. Major decisions which will determine the pub’s fate are considered as we speak. Timing is crucial. To save the Cranker we must take to the streets and rally. We need all the numbers we can muster.”
The rally will be held August 18th at 1pm. Keep up to date with the Crown & Anchor, and the Save the Cranker movement by following their socials.
Instagram: @savethecranker
TikTok: @savethecranker
Facebook: Save The Cranker
Save the Cranker also has a letter campaign running, aiming to get the attention of elected decision-makers.
“We’ve got a great letter campaign going at the moment. It’s critical that people smash their inboxes and show them that this really matters to you. We’ve done the hard yards of putting letters kits together, giving them a solid ‘ask’ and targeting the six Labor people that matter most. They’re dodging the issue. It’s up to us. Make them take notice! Send all six letters. The Cranker’s worth 10 minutes of your time innit? Of course it is!”
Get involved with the letter campaign here, https://savethecranker.com.au/letters
Save the Cranker Rally
Where: Victoria Sq, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
When: Sunday, August 18th, 1pm
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