Pub landlord wins battle to keep giant St George’s cross outside his pub

A landlord has won a battle to keep a St George’s cross outside his pub – after complaints it looked like ‘the headquarters of the National Front’.

Jerry Kunkler first painted the red cross on the exterior of his white boozer in 2016 to show his support for national teams.

After Covid the landlord of the Moonrakers Inn in Pewsey, Wiltshire repainted it in 2022 for the World Cup.

But a local then complained saying it looked like ‘the headquarters of the National Front’ prompting an investigation by Wiltshire Council.

Planning chiefs even recommended the flag should be scrapped, arguing it harmed the character of the Grade II listed building.

They added it was ‘out of keeping’ with the village Conservation Area.

But in an unexpected turnaround, councillors voted to let the giant flag stay.

The committee, comprising Wiltshire councillors, made the decision at its meeting yesterday (Thursday).

After considering the officer report, planning policy, and all material considerations, the committee resolved to grant consent.

Committee members voted by five in favour of granting listed building consent, with three against, and one abstention.

Mr Kunkler, who celebrates 45 years behind the bar, was not allowed to speak at the meeting either as the applicant, or as the ward councillor as he is a serving councillor.

Speaking today after the outcome, Mr Kunkler said: ‘I am very happy that we are keeping the cross.

‘Obviously we got St George’s Day Next week, we have got the World Cup coming and the Women’s Six Nations.

‘I think it’s the right decision to be out there for a long time.

‘Having the red paint on there it causes no harm to the building, whereas if you have brackets for flags it could cause harm.

He added: ‘I am more than happy, customers are very happy and I think everyone was there to support.

‘I was reported by someone and I think because it’s a St George cross it was more of a political statement rather than anything else.’

In reaching its decision, the committee concluded that, on balance, the alterations are acceptable in planning terms and do not result in unacceptable harm to the listed building or the character and appearance of the Pewsey Conservation Area.

Cllr Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: ‘We have a legal duty to protect listed buildings and conservation areas and when a concern is raised about unlawful works to a listed building we are required to investigate and, where necessary, take appropriate action.

‘In this case, the correct process has been followed and the final decision has been made by democratically elected members from different political parties.

‘This decision was made on planning and heritage grounds about the effect on a listed building – the content or meaning of the design itself was not a consideration in the decision.’

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