Locals celebrate as Russell Brand sells pub ahead of rape trial – but still makes profit

Russell Brand’s run-down country pub has been sold for six figures, much to the delight of locals.

Located in the South Oxfordshire village of Pishill, The Crown Inn has been closed since the Covid-19 lockdown and was put up for sale for £850,000 in 2021.

Brand’s production company, Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm, bought the pub and its barn and self-contained two-bedroom cottage, but it has not reopened under his ownership.

Previously, he had plans to convert the pub garage into a recording studio for his online videos and podcast, which sparked outrage among residents in the area.

Now, though, those plans are no more, as the disgraced actor and comedian has flogged the whole thing – and made a profit.

The 50-year-old Get Him to the Greek star is reported to have sold the historic pub for £975k, which is around £125k more than he paid for it five years ago.

Freddie van Mierlo, the MP for Henley, told the paper: ‘I’m delighted for residents who had their local pub closed for years by a “celebrity” for the purpose of recording self-promotion and conspiratorial YouTube content.

‘I’m so pleased that this much-loved pub is back in good hands.

‘I wish the new owners huge success, and I’m sure they will be well supported by the community.’
Bloomer has been described as ‘absolutely charming’ by neighbours, having introduced himself to them after the sale went through.

Noel Snell, who has lived near the pub for almost 40 years, said having the pub as a free house will ‘make all the difference’ in ensuring its future, adding of Bloomer: ‘He’s a charming Irish chap – and if any Irishman can’t make a pub work, who can?’
Similarly, Guy and Penny Godfrey, who have lived in Pishill for 45 years, said they were keen to visit under the new ownership, hopeful the reopening would ‘enhance the neighbourhood’.

Mrs Godfrey went on to praise Bloomer as ‘welcoming and friendly’ when they attended a barbecue he and his wife hosted last month.

Their praise is in stark contrast to how locals felt about Brand’s plans for the pub, with more than 50 residents formally objecting to the district council upon learning of his intended use for the space.

Hailing the pub as an ‘essential’ community asset, the villagers blocked Brand’s applications on two occasions, adamant that the 15th-century boozer should remain open for business solely as a pub, not be repurposed as a media hub.

Amid the fierce opposition, South Oxfordshire Council also described his plans as ‘unsuitable’, with the possibility of the studio causing a nuisance to the public.

Since being closed, The Crown Inn has fallen into disrepute, with locals telling Metro last year that the grade II listed pub had been left ‘in limbo’.

Recent photos show the garden is overgrown and has become an eyesore, with one individual admitting the ‘sad’ closure of the pub had ‘ripped the heart out of the local community’.

Furthermore, after allegations of sexual offences by Brand were broadcast in September 2023, fences with a hessian covering were erected around the exterior.

The council subsequently launched an investigation into the unauthorised fencing.

Brand’s pub sale comes ahead of his trial in October.

He is accused of three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, with six women alleging crimes dating from 1999 to 2009, all of which he denies.

The former TV host was first charged in April 2025 with alleged offences against four of the women, and his trial was set to start on June 16 this year at Southwark Crown Court.

Fresh charges involving two new complainants were brought this January, leading to an agreement to delay the trial until October 12.

Brand has previously appeared at the courthouse twice to enter not guilty pleas to all allegations.

Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.