A historic country pub, once owned by Russell Brand, has been sold for a significant profit, offering a beacon of hope to a community left disheartened by years of closure.
The Crown Inn, nestled in the quiet South Oxfordshire village of Pishill, had remained shuttered since the pandemic began. Brand’s company purchased the property – including a barn and a two-bedroom cottage – in 2021, but his vision for it never materialized.
Initial plans to transform the pub’s garage into a recording studio for his online content ignited local fury. Residents fiercely opposed the idea, determined to preserve the 15th-century building as a traditional community pub, not a personal media center.
Those plans are now history. Brand reportedly sold the property for £975,000 – a £125,000 increase over the purchase price five years ago. The sale marks a turning point for Pishill, offering a chance to restore a beloved local landmark.
The buyer is John Bloomer, a secretary of the National Farmers’ Union group, described by neighbors as “absolutely charming.” He has already begun introducing himself to residents, signaling a commitment to integrating into the community.
Local MP Freddie van Mierlo expressed relief, stating the sale was a victory for residents who had endured years without their local pub. He celebrated the return of the “much-loved” establishment to “good hands.”
For nearly four decades, Noel Snell has lived near The Crown Inn. He believes having it operate as a traditional “free house” will be crucial to its success, adding with a smile, “If any Irishman can’t make a pub work, who can?”
Other long-time residents, Guy and Penny Godfrey, are eager to visit under the new ownership, hopeful the reopening will “enhance the neighbourhood.” They praised Bloomer’s welcoming nature at a recent community barbecue.
The contrast between the current optimism and the previous resistance to Brand’s plans is striking. Over 50 residents formally objected to his studio proposal, emphasizing the pub’s importance as an “essential” community asset.
In recent years, The Crown Inn had fallen into disrepair, its garden overgrown and its future uncertain. Locals lamented the closure, describing it as having “ripped the heart out of the local community.”
Following allegations made against Brand in September 2023, fencing was erected around the property, prompting an investigation by the local council. The pub’s state reflected a period of uncertainty and distress.
The sale occurs as Brand prepares for a trial in October, facing accusations of rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault – charges he denies. He currently resides in the United States, having shifted his focus to podcasting and online influencing.
The community now looks forward, hoping the new ownership will breathe life back into The Crown Inn, restoring it to its former glory as a vibrant hub for Pishill.
