Banksy rumoured to have bought pub

Mysterious street artist Banksy is reported to have bought an historic pub in a village near Glastonbury for £1 million.

Banksy, known for his numerous spray painted murals, dystopian theme park Dismaland, and his 2010 documentary film Exit Through The Gift Shop, but beyond his body of work, there is little confirmed information on the artist.

While some celebrity-backed boozers trade on the famous faces behind them, the internationally-recognised anonymous graffiti artist’s reported purchase of The Crown Inn in Pilton is somewhat unusual in that regard.

The pub, which dates back to the 17th century, was shut for many years before re-opening fully in November of last year, after extensive renovation work.

One aspect of the re-design has, according to Rolling Stone, been the instalment of works from Banksy and sculptor Dorcas Casey. However, the pub’s social media feeds offer no indication of if this is true or not.

Besides Banksy’s own affinity for the West Country, being from Bristol and having chosen West-super-Mare as the site for Dismaland, the pub’s location in Pilton has been suggested as a sign of the artist’s intent to become involved with the famous Glastonbury Festival, which is held on farmland near the village.

Speaking to ITV News, one local resident said: “I guess it could be true but nobody knows, I haven’t seen him but no one knows what he looks like.”

Another said: “Unfortunately we live in the village where the festival is, so perhaps we have to put up with this sometimes.”

It seems rather apt that the (possible) pub of the world’s most famous pseudonymous artist should itself be shrouded in mystery.

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