The UK's most eccentric pub landlord has described what life is like in lockdown, having joked that the resident cat Frederick Albert Hitler has 'gone stir crazy' and taken to listening to The Archers.
Steve Cotton hit headlines earlier this year when word got out about his 'off-grid' Devon pub, The Poltimore Arms, where there's no WiFi, the customer service leaves a lot to be desired (intentionally so) and there's a cat called Hitler.
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The landlord is living out the pandemic in his remote 17th-century pub in South Molton, which has obviously been pretty quiet recently - apart from the visit he says he recently had from the police.
Claiming Devon and Cornwall Police turned up to investigate allegations that he had been illegally selling beer during the lockdown, Cotton told Devon Live: "The very nice people from Devon and Cornwall Police have visited me in their helicopter and police cars, taken me inside for a chat about supposedly selling beer as normal. No further action is being taken as I wasn't doing anything and there was no one here.
"But they drive past most days and never stop to get a takeaway ... which is legal."
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LADbible has reached out to Devon and Cornwall Police for comment.
Cotton continued: "What's happened to the pub since Boris told us all to shut in March? Well after Devon Live wrote about the Poltimore Arms in February, and getting my ugly mug and pub and Frederick Albert Hitler in most publications around the world, the pub was about to fly, and then, bang nothing.
"But I have made more money in five weeks of being shut than when I was open for the last seven years."
Cotton's pub has become famous for its unusual selection of booze, with an incredible back room 'Bottle Shop' selling various craft ales, ciders, gins, rums and more.
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But with no customers, Cotton is now having to see off some of the booze in the bottle emporium and cellars himself.
"I have been kept busy trying to drink all the beer before it goes out of date," he said.
"I'm now getting a bit worried as there's only about three or four years of beer left to drink."
Cotton has been getting things 'fixed in preparation for opening time', whenever that is, while Frederick Albert Hitler the cat is also keeping himself amused.
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"Fred the pub cat has gone stir crazy, and has taken to doing the cooking and listening to The Archers everyday," Cotton joked.
"But in general everything's good and I look forward to seeing all those miserable b******s called customers once I open again."
Thankfully, the locals are looking after the grumpy pub landlord, despite the fact their efforts aren't always as well-received as they'd hope.
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"The people of the pub have all been fantastic, bringing me food, fags, logs etc.," Cotton said.
"To the very, very kind person who leaves me a cooked meal outside the pub everyday - please stop it, at least until you've learnt to cook."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS