15th November 2022

Where there’s a pub, there’s a community. Where there’s a community, there is support and wellbeing. They form a vital part of our social infrastructure, and support our local economy, providing local jobs for local people.

“The Cricketers wasn’t just a pub, but one of the few ever declining small live music venues in Kingston. I remember some great evenings watching local artists at open mic nights, and local bands upstairs. Places like these are assets of community value that we must hold onto.” says Kingston Labour’s Chair, Kezia Coleman.

Campaigners are currently challenging the owners who are requesting for the second time, for a change of use from the Council.

The current owners purchased the pub, which at the time was trading successfully, with the express intent of seeking residential development.

Regular music nights were cancelled, the bar was not stocked or run properly, opening times were inconsistent – an intentional managed decline from the owners.

The Freehold and leasehold have been on the market since 2019, both at deliberately inflated prices.

Campaigners say they is considerable interest in purchasing The Cricketers under a Community ownership scheme if the current owner was willing to negotiate a fair market value for the Freehold.

Support the campaign by Cricketers Kingston Community Association by responding with comments on the application:

https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3300689