The Moonrakers Inn, a 17th-century Grade II listed building, was painted red and white a decade ago by owner Jerry Kunkler to cheer on England during the 2016 European Championships, according to multiple reports. Kunkler had to apply for planning permission to keep the 20ftx20ft red cross on the pub, with several people objecting to the application, including one who said it was racist and sent out an anti-migrant message. If the application is refused and Kunkler does not comply, officials have recommended that the local authority's enforcement team should issue a formal notice, and if he ignores the legal notice, he risks criminal charges.
Kunkler denied his St George's cross was a racist symbol and said his pub is merely an England-supporting sports bar, according to multiple reports. Jayne Manley, a local parish councillor and environmentalist, was one of those people who objected, and she said the St George's Cross prominently displayed on public buildings was seen by some people to be an anti-migrant message, according to multiple reports. Council planning officer Pippa Card acknowledged objectors' concerns about the cross's presumed association with other organisations and that it lowered the tone of area, according to multiple reports.
Kunkler is a Conservative councillor on Wiltshire Council, according to multiple reports. It is unknown who exactly made the initial complaint to the council about the pub's paint or what the exact number of people who objected to the planning application is.