Jeremy Clarkson urges pub customers to 'be kind' as he issues plea amid 'bankruptcy' fears

Jeremy Clarkson called for his pub guests to 'be kind'

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Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 09/09/2024

- 19:03

Updated: 10/09/2024

- 21:31

Clarkson urged customers to consider the difficulty that has gone into his new pub

Jeremy Clarkson finally opened his pub last month after weeks of anticipation, and it didn't take long for guests to complain about the prices of food and drink at the Cotswolds establishment.

The 64-year-old has issued a plea for customers to "be kind" as he addressed the many hurdles he faced in lead-up of the pub's opening and first few days of its doors being opened.


In his Sunday Times column, Clarkson detailed the snowballing issues that arose in the build up to the pub's opening.

"We needed more electricity, which meant installing something called a three-phase system. And how much would that cost? Well, there's only one company that can supply this to me, so it can charge what it likes. So it does," he reflected.

"The last number I heard, before I fainted, was £350,000. So, we were opening in three days’ time and we had iffy power and a menu that would bankrupt us in a matter of hours.

"And there was no time to worry about either thing because of the much bigger problems we were having with water."

Jeremy Clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson called for his pub guests to 'be kind'

PA

He continued: "The water had run out, the power was on the blink again and cooking had stopped. It was our opening day and it wasn’t an opening day at all.

"The next day, when we opened for real, the water issue was so dire that we had to close the lavatories and use plastic glasses that didn’t need washing up. And even then we only served food for four hours."

Issuing a plea to those visiting The Farmer's Dog, he penned: "We are getting better now, but I do ask, if you drop by, to remember this. Your lunch, if it arrives at all, is costing us a lot more than it’s costing you. So please be kind."

It comes after Clarkson kept his fans in the loop of the pub's progress ahead of its opening, with the former Top Gear star sharing plenty of the bigger mishaps which happened along the way.

Jeremy Clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson's pub, The Farmer's Dog, opened its doors last month

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The presenter's following on social media were kept amused as Clarkson revealed the location of the pub was a former dogging site.

On one occasion, he found some awkward evidence of that as he shared an Instagram post of his discovery.

In a short clip, he dryly remarked: "Tell me you bought a pub on a dogging site without telling me you bought a pub on a dogging site," before revealing he was holding a twig with a pair of women's underwear hooked onto it.

He grimaced before ending the clip, which amused fans were quick to comment on.

Site of The Farmer's Dog in Oxfordshire

Jeremy Clarkson detailed the many issues he faced in the build-up to the pub opening

PA

It's also understood cameras have had to stop rolling back in August for the filming of the fourth series of Clarkson's Farm, which is thought to be following the car enthusiast as he renovates the pub - due to giant military aircraft.

The Daily Mail reported that some of the world's biggest military transporters fly directly over The Windmill pub on training exercises from Brize Norton, Britain's biggest RAF base.

The base is just 1.5 miles away from the site - where Clarkson was spotted filming. The publication explained he was witnessed making several attempts to shoot part of an episode believed to be focusing on the new project.

Clarkson was seen standing on a new decking area in the pub and pointing at the sky as he attempted to speak directly to the camera.

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