Steve Cotton, proprietor of the Poltimore Arms, is the self-confessed least interested publican in Britain, making patrons serve themselves and having eyes only for his feral rescue cat named Hitler.
The 59-year-old former engineer encountered opportunity to take over the pub seven years’ ago. Waiting until the last day, he somewhat impulsively bought it, saving it from certain demise.
In the early days as the new owner he recalls being quite happy drinking by himself every night … until the crowds began, drawn to the quirky characteristics of the boozer.
From a complete lack of patronage the establishment has become a favourite with locals, wealthy visitors to the area, and celebrities, although Cotton assures he is equally rude to everyone.
He has developed a reputation for being ‘off-grid’, sporting no phone or television. The décor includes several pianos and a dead ferret stuck to the wall. The bar provides only a few beers, one gin and one whiskey and a few other spirits.
There is no electronic payment facility, but that seems less important since the publican has no idea of prices and simply takes what customers offer.
What’s more all patrons are told to serve themselves, and often put to work behind the bar.
“Prince Harry was a really nice chap,” he recalled to Metro UK.
“He used to come in with his friends before he ran off with Megan Markle and I would make them pour their own drinks. They had never done a day’s work in their lives until they came in here.”
One of the pub’s continued favourite occupants is Frederick Albert Hitler – an eleven-year-old tabby Cotton brought home from the rescue centre after asking for “the nastiest, most hostile cat you have”. FAH used to tear him to shreds, but has calmed down somewhat in recent years and now even has his own Facebook page.
Cotton is said to model himself on famous English highwayman Dick Turpin. He has rumbled with bankruptcy and says he has never made any money from his venture, and doesn’t care.
“I have no idea what is going on, but I know what is wrong with every other pub, so that’s a start.”