Glenn Tilbrook, the iconic frontman of the band Squeeze, is championing a community effort to rescue a derelict London pub and transform it into a thriving music and arts centre.
A Personal Mission for a Community Landmark
The campaign focuses on The White Swan in Charlton Village, a beloved local that shut its doors suddenly in 2020, just before the Covid-19 lockdowns. A newly established charity, White Swan Music and Arts, has now launched a Crowdfunder to raise an initial deposit. The goal is to buy back the Victorian two-storey building and prevent it from being lost to property developers.
For Tilbrook, this cause is deeply personal. He recalls that over fifty years ago, his first gig with bandmate Jools Holland was at the Morden Arms in Greenwich. "We soon had a residency there and started getting gigs in other pubs, gradually," he said. "It was great fun and helped us to find ourselves. Places like this are vital for young musicians to learn their craft."
An Intimate Gig as a Star Reward
The crowdfunding campaign offers a unique incentive for supporters. One of the top rewards is an intimate VIP performance by Tilbrook himself, offering a rare chance to see the Cool for Cats hitmaker up close in a small venue. Organisers describe it as the perfect setting where his career began and where future generations could get their start.
The campaign launched in earnest on December 3, 2025, with a video featuring a community ensemble. This included local residents, business owners, park runners, and musicians as young as six. They were joined by Tilbrook and his son, Leon, who is also a local musician.
Blueprints for a Creative Future Hub
If the fundraising drive succeeds, the charity plans to fully restore The White Swan. The vision is to revive it as both a traditional neighbourhood pub and a dynamic creative hub. Ambitious plans for the space above the bar include:
- A multi-purpose arts space with digital content facilities.
- Rehearsal rooms for local musicians and artists.
- A small stage designed to give young performers their first taste of live gigging.
Organisers hope this could be a stepping stone for artists who might one day headline major venues like the nearby O2 Arena. This initiative echoes wider support for grassroots venues, highlighted by the Mayor of London's Grassroots Music Tube Map launched in May 2025, which was backed by figures like Billy Bragg and Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson.
The fight to save The White Swan represents a broader struggle to preserve the small, characterful spaces that are essential for cultural growth and community spirit in London.
