A landlord in Wiltshire has been instructed to remove a large St George’s Cross painted on the exterior of his historic pub following complaints that it resembles “the headquarters of the National Front.”
Jerry Kunkler, who has owned the Moonrakers Inn in Pewsey since 1981, first painted the red cross on the building in 2016. He refreshed the design during the 2022 World Cup to show support for English sports teams. However, after a local resident raised concerns in November 2025, Wiltshire Council launched an investigation.
The council ruled that the painted decoration violates planning regulations, as it clashes with the character of the village’s Conservation Area. Despite Kunkler submitting a retrospective application for planning permission, planning officers recommended refusal and demanded the cross be painted over.
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In a report to the Eastern Area Planning Committee, planning officer Pippa Card emphasized the importance of preserving the architectural integrity of listed buildings. She noted that although the landlord’s patriotic intent was understood, the permanent painted cross detracts from the 17th-century inn’s historic façade and the surrounding area. Card suggested that alternative, less permanent displays such as flags or bunting would be more appropriate.
The Moonrakers Inn, a fine example of local vernacular architecture with a Georgian-era refronting, is part of a conservation zone featuring several listed buildings. Public opinion on the painted cross has been divided: among 12 submitted comments, six supported the decoration as a symbol of pride and sporting loyalty, four opposed it citing its negative visual impact and questionable associations, and two expressed mixed feelings, proposing temporary use and alternative displays.
If Kunkler refuses to comply with the council’s directive, enforcement action could follow, potentially leading to criminal prosecution. Kunkler defended the painting as a family-friendly celebration of English heritage and sport, stressing the pub’s long-standing role as a community hub and his personal support for events like the Six Nations rugby tournament.
The final decision will be made by councillors at a meeting scheduled for April 16 in Devizes.