Russell Brand sells his nation pub for almost £1million after locals blocked plans to show it right into a recording studio

Russell Brand has reportedly sold his country pub for nearly £1million after local residents blocked his plans to turn the historic boozer into a recording studio.

The controversial comedian – who is set to stand trial in October for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting six women – bought the Crown Inn in Pishill, Oxfordshire, six years ago.

The 15th century watering hole is the only pub in the village and had been popular with residents and visitors alike. 

But after Brand purchased the site in March 2020, it laid derelict after he had multiple applications to turn the space into a recording studio rejected.

His first plea was refused after more than 50 neighbours objected. After more complaints were lodged about the second application, Brand withdrew it.

However, the pub might soon be open to punters again after it was reportedly bought by John Bloomer, group secretary of the National Farmers’ Union, for £975,000 – around £125,000 more than Brand paid for it.

Residents have described the new landlord as ‘absolutely charming’. 

Freddie van Mierlo, the MP for the area, told the Henley Standard: ‘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.

The Crown Inn in Pishill, Oxfordshire, which Russell Brand purchased six years ago. The site laid derelict for years after Brand had multiple applications to turn the space into a recording studio rejected

Russell Brand at Southwark Crown Court on February 24, 2026. The controversial comedian has reportedly sold his Oxfordshire pub for nearly £1million 

‘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.’

Before Brand purchased the Crown Inn, the impressive site was a fixture of the Oxfordshire countryside featuring outdoor seating, a car park, a detached barb, a two-bedroom cottage and a garage.

Neighbours told the Daily Mail in August last year that Brand had built a shed to the rear of the pub, which neighbours claim was a secret studio used to record episodes of his controversial podcast.

Since disappearing from mainstream media, Brand has reinvented himself as a truth sayer of ‘revolutionary politics and spiritual awakenings’ and streams his musings on various video platforms.

Neighbours had claimed that prior to any approval, Brand had been using the space to record his YouTube videos and podcasts, as well as hold meetings, which they said sometimes brought ’20 or 30′ cars onto the country road.

When the Daily Mail visited the pub las year however, the shed like the rest of the abandoned pub was completely deserted, with neighbours claiming the star had ‘fled the village’ following numerous planning battles. 

Brand made his name as a comedian in the late 2000s and early 2010s when he starred in a number of major films including St Trinian’s and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

But in recent years he has reinvented himself as a podcaster and influencer.

He will face trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault in October.

Brand, who has a home in the UK but now lives in the US, 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.

He denies all the claims against him.

The Daily Mail has approached Brand and Mr Bloomer for comment.