Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has finally confessed he made a big error when opening his pub – The Farmer’s Dog – after two staff members at the boozer walked out
Jeremy Clarkson has admitted that he made a mistake when opening his Cotswolds pub.
The former Top Gear host is the proud owner of The Farmer’s Dog pub in Oxfordshire, which he opened last August. The boozer features in his hit show Clarkson’s Farm, which has just aired its fourth season on Prime Video.
In the last two episodes of the series, Jeremy brought in pub consultants Sue and Rachel Hawkins to help him get the pub up and running. Clarkson hired the auntie-niece duo with the goal of opening the pub in time for the August bank holiday, which they said was “not ideal”.
The pair criticised Clarkson’s pub and suggested the presenter splash out on a £40,000 set of outdoor patio umbrellas. It’s safe to say Jezza wasn’t fond of the idea as he’d only budgeted £25,000 to open the boozer.
But now, he’s admitted the pair had a point with the pricey umbrellas and decided to finally get the umbrellas installed. He took to Instagram this week to share a photo of the pub and wrote: “Turns out Sue and Rachel had a point. @thefarmersdogpub did need big umbrellas after all!”
Rachel shared the photo on her own Instagram Stories, writing: “AND BEHOLD… the EXACT 40K umbrellas that have been the topic of so much discussion. [crying-laughing emoji].”
“Not blocking the view & providing a year round weather solution with heating& lighting in order that 75 guests can dine comfortably on the terrace all year round… seems like 40k well spent?, adding: “(Just 10 months, 2 stretch tents & 30 sun brollies later… [crying-laughing face].”
Clarkson said Rachel and Sue “brilliantly set the pub up” but things didn’t exactly go to plan. The pair ended up quitting just 48 hours after the pub opening, and a bit of a tense meeting with the TV star.
The pair didn’t exactly go down a storm with many Clarkson’s Farm fans, who complained about them on social media. However, others have defended the duo and suggested Jezza is responsible for the pub’s problems.
Rachel had expressed concerns about the pub, saying: “This building is not really fit for purpose. There are too many issues for us to run a successful business from this site, with failing water, no toilets, no gas, leaking roofs, and struggling staff.”
Sue said the staff at the pub were “exhausted” and working too much. She added: “Everyone is exhausted. Even when we say: ‘Go for a break’, there’s no staffroom.
“They’re weeing in a porta-loo. It’s not lovely conditions. They love you and they love working here because of that. They’re excited about the British food, and everything this pub is, they want to get behind it… But they’re working 14-hour days.”
Jeremy hit back: “I have no problem with the staff,” Jeremy assured them. “Not one single problem with the staff. They’re all brilliant. They are smiling. They are nice.” It was revealed that two waitresses and one pot washer walked out on the job last summer.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
