The White Swan in Charlton Village is up for sale, with the price set at a rate that could only attract a developer to turn it into flats. A group of locals are trying to raise the money to turn it into a community pub, ie. one owned by the people, not a pubco. It's been lubricating Charlton fans as long as they've been at The Valley.
Here's our piece on the threat to the Swan and the closure of the Old Loyal Britons.
http://deserter.co.uk/2014/11/pubwatch-charlton-and-greenwich/Here's the Facebook page if you want to be kept informed of the campaign or get involved in it:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1440974652782873/ 
Comments
I would be sorry to see it go, as I lived in Springfields, and this and the Valley were my fathers favourite pub.
Did Cllr Don Austen turn up for this, he lives in the Village, and along with the Cllrs Gillmans I am sure would support keeping this community asset. I think there is a big battle to fight though on this one, good to see the local community behind this.
They also have the Bugle Horn.
No doubt they see both pubs in competition with each other.
Punch Taverns contract their pub tenants to buy in beer from them at hugely inflated wholesale prices.
It's the reason why their pub tenants need to charge high prices for beer, if they are to make any sort of living from their business.
High prices depress beer sales, which threatens the viability of the pub.
The pubco then seek to sell the pub to property developers.
What was court case recently where tenants could buy from anyone and not be tied to the brewery anymore?
Would any savings be passed on to customers or just give a bigger profit margin to the tenants?
Hopefully people will support the Swan, perhaps there is a way to rejuvinate the pub, but it looks a tough job with the asking price.I do not mean 'tart it up with a fake makeover'. As I stated I have an affectionate memory of the swan, as I lived minutes away from it's doorsteps. At the same time I would hate to see the bugle close as I do use that, pub and was in there on Tuesday as it happens. And they have been very supportive of the trust, so a bit of a 'hobsons choice' for me personally.
But is this a the fate of pubs, apartments and Tesco express. No thanks, housing is important, but they are building hundreds of apartments down at North Greenwich. Hopefully your local will not close
Please tell.
How often do you go in the pub on a non match day?
1. Despite having been done up a few years back the place is dirty. The final straw was when it stunk of piss prior to the Wolves game on a Tuesday night.
2. The beer is pretty crap, when it did have ale on it was of a poor standard so I mostly stuck to lager...saying that on the few occasions I've been to the Bugle it's no better.
3. The number of people going has dwindled (at a far higher rate than match-day attendances) and now the pre match atmosphere is lacking.
I would not rule out ever going back, and if this "community asset" venture is successful then it would be a perfect opportunity to have a well run Charlton pub to go to before the game.
Like someone else has said, the beer is crap in there. I only ever drank bottled beer
The only councillor I was aware of being there was John Fahy, but I didn't catch everyone's names. It would unprecedented if they pull this off. £950k is a lot of money for a failing pub and there would still be a lot of work and money needed to make it viable. You have to admire the commitment of those behind it, but it's a big ask.
All businesses in Charlton reflect the fortunes of the football club. Big crowds mean thriving businesses. Everyone is suffering at the moment. The Swan was a decent pub in the Prem days, great for matchdays at least. Last season, after a loss, it would be almost empty.
In recent years its had a long line of failed managers who cant get a handle on it at all so trade has dwindled off. The two blokes that took it over and gave it a refurb had a try but it needs a bit more. Its got a great garden - everything is there. If the Pelton bloke got it then residents of Charlton would be very lucky.
Whats happened to the pubs in Charlton in recent years is a crying shame. Will never forgive that fool for wrecking the Oak as a locals pub.
I hope someone saves it as we'll need more pubs next season when we're back in the Premiership ;-)
Used to drink the the Bugle
The Harveys and Doombar are drinkable.
That would of led to a serious remake of the swan If the pelton is anything to go by.
You don't mean the Ivyhouse do you? Over Nunhead way? That is a cracker and the community model that the people on the Swan campaign are after. In fact, some fellers involved in saving the Ivyhouse were at the meeting, offering help and advice.