At The Anchor, we’ve always prided ourselves on being a family-friendly, cosy village pub at the heart of the Stanwell Moor community. Over the years, sport has been an important part of our offering, bringing people together to enjoy everything from football to cricket.
However, rising costs and dwindling interest have forced us to make a difficult decision.
As of January 21st, 2025, we will no longer show Sky Sports and TNT Sports. While we remain in active negotiations with these providers and are hopeful for a positive outcome, this service will end unless a feasible solution is found. Importantly, we will continue to show sports on terrestrial channels, so you can still enjoy major events such as the Euros, the World Cup, the FA Cup, Wimbledon, and the Six Nations at The Anchor.
Why This Anchor Sports Update is Necessary
The cost of broadcasting sports in hospitality venues has become untenable. Providers like Sky Sports and TNT Sports charge businesses rates that far exceed those for residential customers. These costs have risen significantly this year, making it incredibly challenging for independent pubs like ours to justify keeping sports on offer without impacting other vital services.
As a community pub, we work hard to maintain the quality of our food, drinks, and events without passing excessive costs onto our customers. Continuing to host sports under the current circumstances would jeopardise the very services that make The Anchor a beloved hub for Stanwell Moor. This Anchor sports update reflects our commitment to safeguarding the experiences our customers value most.
Changing Customer Demand for Sport
In addition to rising costs, customer interest in sport has dwindled dramatically in the last two years. While sport was a major draw during the pre-COVID era, footfall for sports events has dropped by over 75% since lockdowns ended. This means that fewer of our patrons are enjoying this aspect of what we offer, while the costs have continued to rise disproportionately. This trend is one of the key reasons behind our Anchor sports update decision.
Our Commitment to Community and Core Services
By stepping away from subscription-based sports broadcasting, we can ensure that our focus remains where it should be—on providing an exceptional experience for the majority of our community. This includes:
Continued investment in high-quality food, drinks, and events.
Building an inclusive and welcoming space where families, friends, and neighbours can gather.
Prioritising the core services that reflect the values and needs of Stanwell Moor.
This Anchor sports update allows us to keep delivering the standards and services that make The Anchor such an important part of the community.
We’re also thrilled to share that our 2025 plan, featuring a host of exciting new offerings and experiences, will be unveiled later this month.
What Happens Next?
We understand that this news may come as a disappointment to some, and we share in that frustration. Sport has always been a part of The Anchor, and this decision was not made lightly. We also want to acknowledge the role that providers like Sky Sports and TNT Sports have played in this situation, with their steep pricing structures placing undue pressure on independent pubs like ours.
We remain in active negotiations with these providers and are hopeful for a positive outcome. However, at this time, subscription-based sports broadcasting at The Anchor will end on January 21st, 2025. If circumstances change, we will provide updates as soon as possible.
For now, sports will remain available until January 21st, and we encourage those who enjoy it to visit us before the cut-off date. Beyond this date, you can still enjoy all major sporting events shown on terrestrial channels, including the Euros, the World Cup, the FA Cup, Wimbledon, and the Six Nations.
Thank You for Your Support
Your support is what makes The Anchor the vibrant, welcoming pub it has been for generations. We are committed to serving you in ways that truly matter, preserving the heart of our community space for years to come. This Anchor sports update is one of the steps we’ve taken to ensure we can continue to meet your needs and expectations for years to come.