A new group is looking to raise funds to make a bid for the White Swan. But they need to prove that the local community back the plan, fast. The quickest way to help is to answer its questionnaire. PAUL CHAPMAN is our man at the bar.

Regular readers will be familiar with the twists and turns around the White Swan. Just over three years ago the pub closed its doors once more and it has become an increasingly sorry sight in Charlton Village. The only signs of life in recent times have been the recently-evicted squatters and rare glimpses of building work being carried out upstairs.

That building work turned out to be converting the once-vibrant function space on the first floor into bedsits. Photos have emerged showing the full extent of the work. Anyone familiar with the pub will see that the upstairs floor is now virtually unrecognisable from the space that hosted parties, film festivals and community groups.

What makes that work all the more remarkable is that the owners carried out the work before applying for planning permission. Greenwich Council refused the proposal, leaving the owners with little choice but to re-apply or to undo the changes.

One local group has a third suggestion. The White Swan Music and Arts group is in the process of applying for charitable status, with the aim of rasing the money to buy the White Swan. The group aims, with the help of the local community, to turn The White Swan into a thriving music and arts charity, retaining the traditional pub but with the added benefit of a community space that supports the local music scene.

The first step taken has been to apply for funds from the government’s Department of Levelling Up. Although a successful bid on its own would not be enough, it is hoped that it would be a significant sum towards a viable amount needed to acquire the pub.

A key component of a successful bid is to demonstrate widespread community support. That is where Champion readers come in. White Swan Music and Arts has a short questionnaire that gives you a chance to show potential funders how much the White Swan is missed and the impact its loss has had on individuals, families and the local community.

You’ll also be asked if you want to be kept in touch with developments and perhaps later asked if you’d like to contribute to a potential crowdfunding effort.

Lastly the questionnaire asks what responders would most like to see in a revitalised White Swan pub and community venue. A questionnaire about pubs – what’s not to like?

The deadline for the first funding application is approaching. For the bid to be ready, please answer by Easter Monday, April 10.

The group’s chair, the music industry manager Suzanne Hunt, says: “Charlton has an amazing grassroots music and local arts scene. The White Swan Music and Arts organisation is a great opportunity to create an innovate and sustainable White Swan for future generations”.

The more the merrier, so please share the questionnaire among your friends, local WhatsApp groups, social media and so on.

And who knows, maybe one day the White Swan will open its doors to the local community once more.

The White Swan Music and Arts questionnaire is open until Easter Monday.