Two years after it was boarded up and squatters took over, an historic Chelsea pub is about to reopen. The Cross keys, which opened in 1708, is located between King’s Road and Cheyne Walk and served its last pint in 2012. Notable former patrons include writer Agatha Christie, poet Dylan Thomas, the Rolling Stones and Bob Marley.
The pub’s last owner, Andrew Bourne, brought in a Michelin-starred chef but ended up boarding up the property after the business began losing money.
Thousands of people signed a petition to save the pub and a Twitter appeal was launched, which was supported by Piers Morgan and Zac Goldsmith MP, among others.
After the pub closed, squatters moved in. They were later evicted by a court order.
Recently, it was announced that the sale of the freehold had been completed through Colliers International for a price of £3.9 million.
The buyer, Parsons Green Land, plans to “refurbish and reinstate” the pub. The upper floors will be turned into residential accommodation.
Tom Ainsleigh Jones, the director of Parsons Green Land, said that the property will reopen as a pub and that the firm is keen to return it to the community.
He went on to say there are several respected local pub owners who want to take over the ground and lower floors.
The move is being welcomed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Chief executive Mike Benner said that pubs are an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage and that it is “clear from the support of the community how important it is that the Cross Keys remains a pub in the future.”
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