80s singing legend battles to save three historic pubs

:Last month, the singer announced he was supporting a £750,000 fundraising drive to save The Rose & Thistle in Haddenham, near Thame.

The Rose & Thistle at Haddenham (Image: Contributed)

So far, the crowdfunding campaign, entitled The Rose & Thistle Reborn, has raised more than £65,000.

READ MORE: 80s singing legend backs campaign to save pub

Mr Hadley, who enjoyed a string of bestselling hits with Spandau Ballet, including Gold, True, Communication, and Through The Barricades, said at the time: “I am wholeheartedly, absolutely supporting the community of Haddenham in trying to get The Rose & Thistle back open again.

“It’s a fantastic little pub – I have been there many times in the past. We have to preserve our village and small town pubs.”

The singer urged people to buy shares to back the crowdfunding campaign.

In 2024, Mr Hadley backed the Ashendon Community Pub Society as it raised £549,494 to save its village pub, the Hundred of Ashendon, as a community asset near the Oxfordshire border.

The gastropub had been closed, having previously appeared in the Michelin guide before the efforts of the community as well as support coming from places as far as the USA and Japan.

Mr Hadley, who is embarking on a Christmas Big Band Tour in November, which is visiting the New Theatre in Oxford, has also backed a £650,000 campaign to reopen The Crown in Cuddington, near Thame.

Tony Hadley backing a campaign to save The Hundred of Ashendon pub (Image: Contributed)

He told the Oxford Mail: “The Crown in Cuddington is on the way to Thame. Everyone invested in the pub and we raised the money.

“I’ve got loads of mates in that village and I have visited that pub many times.”

The singer added that he was happy to back campaigns supporting village pubs as they are vital community hubs.

He said he had been visiting pubs since “Spandau hit the big time”, adding: “If it raises awareness then that is what it is all about, and when the pub is open you have to make sure you use it. It’s easy to say I want to go to the pub but you have to make sure you go.

“For my wife Ali’s birthday we had the whole village celebrating in the local pub.

“I never wanted to be a celebrity – I just like good music and my mates are still the same lads as when I was 17.”

Mr Hadley added that he loved “a good summer ale” and enjoyed beers made by local breweries including Chiltern, Rebellion and Hook Norton.

The pub sign for the Rose & Thistle (Image: Rose & Thistle)

The crowdfunding campaign for the Rose & Thistle says: “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.”

The Crown’s management committee said the £650,000 crowdfunding campaign for the community-owned pub had reached its target – they have “smashed it”.

It said: “In just under four months of hard work, determination, and incredible community support, we are delighted to announce that the purchase of The Crown has now been successfully completed.

“This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our village pub and the wider community.

“Over the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing updates on our plans and welcoming everyone through the doors of The Crown as we build a thriving hub at the heart of our village.”