Actor Tom Conti hit out at beer giant Heineken over the threat to Hampstead’s famous creperie.

The Hampstead resident, who starred in The Dark Knight Rises, has criticised the Dutch brewing company for seemingly doing little to resolve the dispute between La Crêperie de Hampstead and the King William IV pub.

Both businesses are tenants of Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars, which owns the freehold of the King William IV.

Mr Conti said: “The creperie has been here for 30 years; people like it and they have become accustomed to it. In these times, people are hanging on to businesses by the skin of their teeth. All this reflects very badly on Heineken, who own the pub. They’re not doing anything about it.

“Edward [de Mesquita, owner of the creperie] is a reasonable man. If he had not been, he would not have been in business for 30 years.”

Mr Conti, 72, said he and his actress wife Kara Wilson have often bought crepes for their children in the past.

“It’s a feature of Hampstead,” he said. “Heineken has a certain responsibility to step in. The situation reflects badly on them if they don’t do something about it.”

Mr Conti was among those who turned out to show their support for the business on Monday.

A spokesman for Star Pubs & Bars said: “Star Pubs & Bars has invested a huge amount of time and money in trying to help resolve the issues between the independent business people who run the King William IV and La Crêperie de Hampstead.”

He continued: “As well as acting as mediators, Star Pubs & Bars has made significant investments in providing alternative water services for both premises and is now looking to do the same with electrical services. We believe that we cannot do any more to help.”