A village pub bought by Russell Brand in 2021 stands abandoned and overgrown as locals complain the historic building has become an “eyesore”.
The Grade II-listed Crown Inn in Pishill, Oxfordshire, has fallen into a state of disrepair after being left to rot by the comedian turned conspiracy theorist, who is currently facing rape and sexual assault charges – which he denies.
Broken fences litter the grounds of the 600-year-old building, which was first opened in the 15th century as a coaching inn, providing ale, food and beds for weary travellers.
In recent times its thatched roof and historic features have seen it turned into a wedding reception venue, but since Brand bought the plot in December 2021, it hasn’t opened its doors.
New pictures show the poor state of the building, with tape holding some of the windows together and weeds taking over the pathways.
The log fires no longer burn, while a wooden shed appears to be listing to one side, missing some of its planks.
The Crown was once the hottest nightspot in Oxfordshire, becoming the first venue in the county with a post-midnight drinks and music licence. Celebrities and fans flocked to it to watch the likes of Beatles stars Ringo Starr and George Harrison perform, as well as Dusty Springfield.
But now, instead of noisy revellers, there is silence and decay, with crumbling brickwork and rusted iron railings staining the paint orange.
Brand, 49, and his wife Laura Gallacher – the younger sister to TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher – once intended to turn the establishment into a vegan restaurant, having eschewed meat and dairy since 2019.
But locals reacted with outrage, with one saying at the time: “We’ve heard he’s planning to turn the pub into a vegan restaurant. Why would anybody want that? He clearly never had any intention of using the pub as a pub. He doesn’t even drink alcohol. Why buy a pub if you don’t like drink?”
Brand also put in planning permission to convert the pub into a recording studio and community space where he could record his podcast, Rumble, and meet with other alt-right commentators.
But South Oxfordshire District Council refused the application after a number of objections, including 53 from neighbours.
David Cooper, pub preservation officer at the South Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said Brand’s suggestions were “ill-defined” and would “in no way” compensate for the loss of a pub – the last remaining one in the village.
Jeremy Tweddle, who lives in the nearby village of Berrick Salome, added that he had “enjoyed many visits to the Crown”.
“In my opinion, it appears that the current owners have bought a public house, made no effort to run it as such and now declare it not viable,” he said.
Now some neighbours fear Brand – currently living in Florida where he has set up an alt-right media hub in Miami – could leave the pub to rot for years.
As it is Grade II-listed, any alterations to the property would have to be carefully managed, while obtaining a change of use could be difficult.
Caroline Dempsey, who lives next door to the Crown, told the Sun that Brand could wait until the pub is a complete wreck before selling on the land to developers and doubling his profit.
“This may take years, while in the meantime, it all becomes a sad, neglected, overgrown eyesore,” she said.
Meanwhile, Brand is due to fly back to the UK ahead of his first hearing on Friday, May 2.
The CPS has charged him with two counts of rape, indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault relating to four women, who claim the incidents took place between 1999 and 2005 – when Brand was at the height of his fame.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for the initial hearing.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.”
In a video posted on X, Brand denied all of the allegations. “I’ve always told you guys, when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family, I was a fool man,” he said.
“I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile. But I never was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity – I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
The Mirror has approached Russell Brand for comment.
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