Hollywood star Rupert Everett has been working behind the bar of his village pub in a bid to keep the doors open.
Everett, known for his roles in Another Country and My Best Friend’s Wedding, has joined a roster of volunteers working to save The Swan, a local pub in Enford, Wiltshire, that is currently under threat of closure.
The pub is staffed by a rotation of 30 people after it was initially closed when the previous licensee left.
“There has been an amazing effort by our community to keep this pub open,” said the 66-year-old Shrek voice actor.
“Times are hard for rural pubs and this is the heart and hub of the village. I think that it is important to express my support. I have recently joined CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – as I know that real ale is the lifeblood of pubs both locally and nationally.
Rupert Everett serving behind the bar of The Swan, Enford, Wiltshire, wearing his CAMRA T-shirt. Pic: Salisbury CAMRA
The Swan in Enford. Pic: Google Street View
“Our small local breweries need our help, cask ale must survive – it is almost a uniquely British tradition.”
Steve Stringer, secretary of the Salisbury and South Wiltshire branch of CAMRA and an Enford resident, told local media: “I am excited that Rupert has chosen to support the campaign.
“As a lover of cask ales, it is only natural that he wishes to join us and to see him behind the bar serving the locals, shows his solidarity with the community effort.”
Ash Corbett-Collins, the CAMRA Chairman said the organisation was “chuffed” that Everett had been pulling pints to save his local.
“Publicans are clawing at a cliff edge to keep their doors open, and grassroots campaigning to save local pubs is exactly what CAMRA stands for,” he said.
CAMRA, he said, wants to see the chancellor address pub closures in the Autumn budget by “scrapping the increase in Employer National Insurance contributions, making business rates bills fairer, and lowering VAT and duty on pints of beer and cider served in pubs”.
