Stars join fight to save their Chelsea local

Hugh Grant, footballer Sol Campbell and guitarist Mark Knopfler have joined a campaign to stop a London pub being turned into a £5 million private home.

The stars are among more than 1,200 people to sign a petition against the proposed development of the Phene Arms in Chelsea, once described by George Best as his “second home”.

Developer Robert Bourne and his wife Sally Greene, who owns the Old Vic theatre, bought the

160-year-old pub 10 years ago. This year Kensington and Chelsea council turned down their application to turn it into a family home with a swimming pool and sauna in the beer cellar. The couple’s appeal is due to start next Wednesday.

Campaign organisers were thrilled to receive a message from Grant saying the loss of the pub would be “detrimental” in an area where “there are almost no places left to socialise”. Campbell and Knopfler both live locally.

Dr James Thompson, of King’s Road residents’ association, said: “We are losing so many pubs in London. We must preserve this one.” Mr Bourne was not available for comment.