Oxford News
Russell Brand ‘sold Oxfordshire pub’ ahead of court trial
The controversial comedian – set to face a rape trial later this year – purchased the Crown Inn in Pishill near Henley in 2020.
He twice applied to turn the 15th century boozer into a recording studio for his online videos and podcasts but was met with fierce resistance by locals.
His first plea was refused after more than 50 neighbours complained and after more complaints were lodged about the second application, Mr Brand withdrew it.
The Henley Standard is now reporting the 50-year-old has sold the pub to a local businessman for £975,000 – around £125,000 more than he paid for it.
The local paper reports John Bloomer, group secretary of the National Farmers’ Union, is the new owner.
Residents branded him “absolutely charming”.
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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.”
Mr Brand made his name as a comedian in the late 2000s and early 2010s but has since reinvented himself as a podcaster and influencer.
He will face trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault in October.
Mr 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.
Mr Brand, Mr van Mierlo and Mr Bloomer were approached for comment.
The number displayed on the pub’s website is no longer operational.
Brand 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 in January and, at a hearing on March, Mr Justice Bennathan agreed to delay the trial until October 12.
The court heard the original trial was scheduled for up to five weeks, but is now expected to last for around two months.
The judge said if Brand’s trial started in mid-June, the court may run out of time to hear it and would struggle to find jurors who could sit through the start of the summer holidays.
In January, it was announced that the TV star, who lives in the Cotswolds, would bow out of the Great British Bake Off after nine series and judging more than 400 challenges.
The 86-year-old has been a judge on the popular baking show alongside Paul Hollywood since 2017, when the series moved from the BBC to Channel 4, replacing Henley resident Dame Mary.
READ MORE: Gordon Ramsay tipped to replace Paul Hollywood on Great British Bake Off
It was then announced on Monday, January 26, that Oxford University graduate Nigella Lawson will replace her as the judge on the Bake Off.
Now, the show’s presenter Alison Hammond has made a “mortifying” confession about her new co-star, according to a report by Wales Online.
The Welsh news site has shared quotes from the 51-year-old’s recent interview with the Radio Times ahead of the new series later this year.
READ MORE: Paul Hollywood visits Nigella Lawson’s house before Bake Off
Asked if she was excited to meet Nigella, she said: “Oh, my God, Nigel! Don’t tell her I’ve been calling her Nigel, for some reason!”
“Of course, it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Dame Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.
“The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it’s a National Treasure – and it’s a huge honour to be entrusted with it.”
Police were called to the crash on the A43 between Brackley and Silverstone village just over the Oxfordshire border in Northamptonshire.
The crash happened at the junction with the Green Man pub between a white Citroen Berlingo van and a blue BMW Z4 sports car at about 11.20am on April 8.
As a result of the collision, the driver of the Citroen – a man in his 60s – was taken to University Hospital Coventry with serious injuries.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire worker injured in incident with one-tonne dumper
Detectives from the serious collision investigation unit would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time of collision and may have dash-cam footage.
Anyone with information is asked to email CollisionAppeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101.
Please quote incident number 26000200193 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.
Phyllis Court Club in Henley has had plans approved to extend its existing spa and gym to add a new studio and workout space to its facilities.
The addition comprises of a ground floor gym extension with a pergola, allowing the club to host more exercise classes – including some outside, under a new all-weather covering – and a first floor ‘yoga pod’ extension.
This will take the shape of a freestanding, circular addition to the upper floor with a oculus roof light, designed specifically for yoga as “an immersive, meditative retreat” with the intention of creating a “serene, Zen-like atmosphere”.
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The application was submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council last December and received planning permission on April 8.
In their recommendation to approve the scheme, planning officers for the council said: “In officers view, the proposal would form a cohesive and subordinate addition, maintaining an appropriate visual relationship with the host building.
“It would not result in harm to the character or appearance of the site, nor to the wider surrounding area and is therefore considered acceptable in design terms.”
Phyllis Court Club was established in 1906 and is set in an 18-acre estate and manor, with hotel rooms, a restaurant and boat house on the bank of the River Thames.
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