As villagers complain about the “eyesore,” Russell Brand’s disused village pub, which he purchased for £850,000 in 2021, is abandoned and rotting.
Locals complain that the village pub, which Russell Brand purchased in 2021, has turned into an “eyesore” and is now overgrown and abandoned.
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.
The 600-year-old structure, which was first constructed in the 15th century as a coaching inn and served weary travelers with ale, food, and beds, is dotted around the grounds.
Its thatched roof and historical details have recently allowed it to host wedding receptions, but since Brand bought the plot in December 2021, it hasn’t yet opened its doors.
The building’s condition is in poor shape, with weeds occupying the pathways and tape holding some of the windows together.
A wooden shed appears to be erecting one side, some of its planks missing, while the log fires no longer burn.
The Crown was once Oxfordshire’s hottest nightclub, becoming the first place to serve drinks and music after midnight. Ringo Starr and George Harrison, as well as Dusty Springfield, were among the celebrities and fans who flocked to the venue.
Instead of loud revelers, the paint is now silence and decay, with crumbling brickwork and rusted iron railings stains the paint orange.
After avoiding meat and dairy since 2019, Brand, 49, and his wife Laura, who is the younger sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, originally intended to open the restaurant.
Locals, however, expressed outrage and one resident wrote: “We’ve heard he plans to turn the pub into a vegan restaurant.” Who would want that, anyway? He obviously had no intention of utilizing the pub as a bar. He doesn’t consume any alcohol. If you don’t like to drink, why buy a pub?
Brand also obtained planning permission to convert the pub to a recording studio and gathering place for his Rumble podcast and meet other alt-right commentators.
However, after receiving 53 objections from neighbors, South Oxfordshire District Council decided to reject the application.
The Campaign for Real Ale’s South Oxfordshire branch’s David Cooper, the pub preservation officer, claimed Brand’s suggestions were “ill-defined” and would “in no way” make up for the village’s final pub.
Jeremy Tweddle, a resident of Berrick Salome, added that he had “enjoyed numerous visits to the Crown.”
According to him, it appears that the current owners bought a public house, made no effort to maintain it, and now say they are no longer able to support it.
Some neighbors now worry Brand, who is currently residing in Florida and has established an alt-right media hub in Miami, may shut down the bar.
Any modifications to the property would need to be carefully planned, and it might be challenging to get a change of use.
The pub’s owner, Caroline Dempsey, told the Sun that Brand could wait until the building is completely destroyed before selling the land to developers and double his profit, according to Caroline Dempsey, who lives right next door to the Crown.
She said, “This may take years, while it all turns into a sad, neglected, overgrown eyesore in the interim.”
Brand will return to the UK on Friday, May 2, for his first hearing.
According to Brand, who claimed the incidents occurred between 1999 and 2005, when he was at the height of his fame, he has been charged with two counts of rape, indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault relating to four women.
The initial hearing will take place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The Metropolitan Police’s Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy stated, “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
The Met’s investigation is still ongoing, and detectives want anyone with information to contact police who may be affected by this case to come forward.
Brand completely refuted all of the allegations in a video posted on X. I’ve always told you guys that I was a fool when I was young and single, and before I had my wife and family, “he said.
I had sex, drug, and impure tendencies. But I’ve never committed rape. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual behavior; I’m hoping you can spot it by looking in my eyes.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply