Russell Brand’s 600-year-old abandoned Grade II-listed pub has been left to rot, with locals branding the building an “eyesore” and fearing it could be years before it is restored
The Crown Inn, a 600 year old village pub in Pishill, Oxfordshire, purchased by Russell Brand in 2021, has been left to deteriorate, sparking complaints from locals who describe the historic building as an “eyesore”.
The Grade II-listed property, which dates back to the 15th century, was once a thriving coaching inn offering ale, food, and accommodations to weary travelers. However, since Brand’s acquisition in December 2021, the venue has remained shuttered.
Recent photographs reveal the sorry state of the building, with broken fences scattered throughout the grounds, tape holding together some of the windows, and overgrown pathways. The log fires, once a cozy feature, are now extinguished, and a wooden shed appears to be on the verge of collapse, missing several planks.
The Crown Inn was once a popular hotspot, boasting the first post-midnight drinks and music license in Oxfordshire. It attracted celebrities and fans alike, hosting performances by legendary musicians such as Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and Dusty Springfield.
Today, however, the venue is characterized by an eerie silence and decay. The brickwork is crumbling, and rusted iron railings have stained the paint orange, a stark contrast to its former glory, reports the Mirror.
Russell Brand, 49, and his wife Laura Gallacher, sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, had initially planned to transform the establishment into a vegan restaurant, having adopted a plant-based lifestyle since 2019.
However, the proposal was met with fierce opposition from locals, with one resident commenting 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 submitted a planning application to convert the pub into a recording studio and community space, where he could record his podcast, Rumble, and meet with other commentators.
Nevertheless, South Oxfordshire District Council rejected the application following numerous objections, including 53 from neighbouring residents.
David Cooper, pub preservation officer at the South Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, described Brand’s plans as “ill-defined” and stated that they would “in no way” compensate for the loss of the village’s last remaining pub.
Jeremy Tweddle, a resident of the nearby village of Berrick Salome, expressed his concerns, saying that he had “enjoyed many visits to the Crown”. He added: “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”.
Some neighbours now worry that Brand, who is currently residing in Florida where he has established an alt-right media hub in Miami, may abandon the pub and allow it to deteriorate over time. The historic Grade II-listed property is subject to strict regulations, meaning any changes would need to be meticulously planned, and getting permission for a different use could prove tricky.
Local resident Caroline Dempsey expressed her concerns to the Sun about the future of the Crown pub, suggesting that Brand might let the place go to ruin before cashing in with developers. “This may take years, while in the meantime, it all becomes a sad, neglected, overgrown eyesore,” she commented.
In other news, Brand is set to return to Blighty for his preliminary court date on Friday, May 2.
He’s facing serious charges from the CPS, including two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault, with four women alleging these incidents happened between 1999 and 2005 – during Brand’s heyday.
His first appearance will be at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy from the Met Police has assured that the women involved are being supported by specialist officers. “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.”
Furphy also encouraged anyone affected or with information to come forward: “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.”
Brand himself has publicly refuted the accusations in a video posted on X. “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 claimed.
“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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
