A bid could be launched to save a town centre’s “oldest” pub from an uncertain future.
The Rose and Crown pub in Chippenham Market Place closed due to “electrical issues” in late 2025, according to a sign in the window.
Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the pub told this paper there are “unfortunately no plans at present” to reopen the venue.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has since approached Chippenham Town Council, asking councillors to nominate the venue as an Asset of Community Value.
If approved by Wiltshire Council, the owner of the building would not be able to sell it without giving community groups six months to put together a bid.
Town councillors will decide whether to submit this application at a meeting on Thursday, February 26.
A draft application claimed the Grade II listed building is the oldest surviving pub in Chippenham and one of the “jewels in the crown of Chippenham Market Place.”
It said: “Around 20 years ago, the Rose and Crown was one of the town’s most popular pubs bringing vibrancy to the upper Market Place and holding many fond memories for the local community.
“It has always had strong links with the Chippenham Folk Festival scene.
“Having operated as a public house for hundreds of years, there is a rich social history linked to this use.
“In the recent past, The Rose and Crown has furthered the social well-being of the local community by being a meeting place and having an upstairs function room, hosting regular karaoke nights and quizzes, serving hot food and real ale, having a pool table and darts, two bar areas, sports TV, and games and newspapers.”
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The town council emphasised it had no plans to buy the pub itself, but the listing would ensure community groups have a chance to safeguard its future in the event of a sale.
The draft application warned losing the pub would be a blow for the town.
It added: “It is realistic to think that in the next five years the primary use of the building could continue to further the social wellbeing of the local community under the right ownership, particularly as the town centre continues to grow its residential community and demand for community meeting places grows accordingly.
“This is a unique asset for the local community because of its important historic architecture and rich social history, which could continue to be appreciated.
“The wider community of Chippenham would be much poorer if this historic public house was lost.”
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