Village gets huge boost in bid to save historic pub after intervention from 1980s singer

A British village has received a huge boost in its bid to save a historic pub after singer Tony Hadley encouraged the public to purchase shares in the venture.

The celebrated frontman of Spandau Ballet has thrown his weight behind a community effort to resurrect The Rose & Thistle pub in Haddenham, near Thame.

The crowdfunding initiative, branded The Rose & Thistle Reborn, aims to raise £750,000 to bring the village establishment back to life.

Supporters have already contributed over £65,000 towards the ambitious target.

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Mr Hadley, whose band produced chart-topping tracks such as Gold and True, said: "I am wholeheartedly, absolutely supporting the community of Haddenham in trying to get The Rose & Thistle back open again."

He revealed a personal attachment to the establishment: "It's a fantastic little pub – I have been there many times in the past."

The 1980s icon, known for hits including Communication and Lifeline alongside his bandmates, emphasised the broader importance of the campaign.

He added: "We have to preserve our village and small-town pubs."

His endorsement carries particular weight given his track record of championing similar causes in the region.

The campaign operates through a Community Benefit Society established specifically for this purpose, known as Haddenham Community Public House Limited.

Prospective investors can acquire shares in the pub through the crowdfunding platform, with the scheme designed to give local residents a direct stake in their village hostelry.

The Campaign for Real Ale's Oxford branch has drawn attention to the restoration effort, lending the initiative additional credibility.

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The crowdfunding campaign said: "The Rose & Thistle is an iconic pub in the heart of the conservation area of Haddenham, by the village green and opposite St Mary’s Church - a place that has hosted countless meals, celebrations, conversations and chance encounters over the years.

"Tragically, Rose & Thistle closed in 2019 and, while the current owners had hoped to reopen, it is now for sale and at risk of being sold to developers and converted to a residential property. And once a pub is turned into a house, it’s almost impossible to bring it back.

"We’re not here to be alarmist - but we are being honest: this is a time-limited opportunity.

"If we do nothing, we may lose the pub for good. We need your help to stop it from being last orders at The Rose & Thistle."

In 2024, the singer backed the Ashendon Community Pub Society's campaign to rescue the Hundred of Ashendon – a gastropub situated close to the Oxfordshire border.

That effort proved remarkably successful, generating £549,494 to secure the venue as a community asset.

The Hundred of Ashendon had previously earned recognition in the Michelin Guide before its closure.

The 2024 campaign attracted backing from across the globe, with contributions arriving from supporters in the United States and Japan, demonstrating the international appeal of Britain's traditional pub culture.

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