Jeremy Clarkson’s New Pub Draws Huge Crowds on Opening Day
Hundreds of eager customers lined up for hours to be among the first to experience Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub, The Farmer’s Dog, which officially opened in Asthall, near Burford, Oxfordshire. The pub, previously known as The Windmill, welcomed the public at 12:00 BST, marking the latest venture for the former Top Gear host.
Clarkson, who purchased the pub earlier this year for “less than £1 million,” explained that the idea to buy the pub arose after plans to open a restaurant on his Diddly Squat farm were thwarted. “Pubs are all for sale, so we thought instead of building a restaurant, we would buy a pub,” Clarkson said, though he admitted that preparing for the opening had been “terribly stressful.”
Traffic management was a key concern, given the parking issues that plagued Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm shop in the past. The local council collaborated closely with Clarkson’s team to implement several measures aimed at preventing traffic and parking problems, given the pub’s proximity to the busy A40 road.
Among the first in line were Gloucester residents Lauren Hanly and Blake Jones, who arrived before 08:00 to ensure they secured a spot. “Having Jeremy Clarkson’s name on it, it is always going to do well. It is a destination site, and people will come from all over,” Hanly said.
The pub, which will serve only British produce, including meat from Clarkson’s farm, may face challenges in turning a profit. “I’m not very good at business plans,” Clarkson admitted, highlighting the high costs of using locally sourced ingredients compared to cheaper imports.
Despite previous pushback from locals regarding his farm expansion, Clarkson’s new pub venture appears to have garnered support from the community and the local council. He expressed his gratitude to Oxfordshire County Council for their assistance in the successful opening, even posting a thank-you message on social media.
As for his former co-hosts from The Grand Tour, Clarkson suggested that while Richard Hammond might visit the pub, James May likely wouldn’t. Nonetheless, Clarkson remains optimistic about the pub’s future, despite acknowledging the challenges ahead.
