A Glastonbury owner has denied that Banksy is involved with a quirky new pub. The anonymous graffiti artist, who hails from Bristol, was rumoured to have snapped up a pub in Somerset with some friends, with whom he invested £1 million into giving it a new lease of life.
According to The Sun, The Crown in Pilton - the village which hosts the legendary Glastonbury Festival - boasts plenty of quirky decor. Eccentric art is plastered all over the walls and a taxidermied squirrel can be found enjoying a game of pool in its glass case.
Although none of the fixtures are believed to be Banksy's, a source has suggested that the world-renowned artist was hoping to "squirrel away" some of his fortune, but now owner Owain Powell has denied Banksy's involvement. Some of the works being showcased in the unusual pub are the work of Dorcas Casey, who featured in Banksy's Dismaland exhibition in Weston-super-Mare back in 2015.
Read more: Artist called 'Banksy Hates Me' targets one of Bristol's most famous Banksy works
The Crown is said to be a haunt of Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis, with a large number of his many employees and performers also said to be fans. It reopened its doors last year with a brand new sign, showing a crown that had fallen over and the sign with the pub's name on it featuring a crooked "R".
"Banksy loved the idea of being part of Glastonbury and its right-on message," a source claimed to The Sun. "It’s also a gateway to all the music superstars who attend. He has put a decent chunk of money in."
The pub pays homage to Glastonbury Festival with a small scale version of the Pyramid Stage in the beer garden. The rumours come following reports from local residents that they had seen the elusive Banksy at the 18th century inn, whilst Emily Eavis is also rumoured to have invested in it.
One local resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, told The Sun: "Everyone here is talking about it. He's been known to watch the rugby in the pub."
According to Companies House, The Crown was bought by London-based KS Property, and is being run by Owain and his partner, Rowena Draper, who he lives with on a camp next to Worthy Farm, the base for the famous Somerset festival.
Denying Banksy's involvement in The Crown, Owain said: "I bought the pub with a couple of friends."
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