Jeremy Clarkson warns of major mishap at new Oxfordshire pub

Customers had dining experience ‘spoiled’ by huge error

Ellie Muir
Friday 20 September 2024 13:04 BST
Comments
Hundreds queue for hours to get in Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jeremy Clarkson has warned fellow pub landlords of a dangerous mishap he encountered while installing an oven at his newly opened establishment, The Farmer’s Dog.

The 64-year-old former Top Gear presenter paid less than £1m for the pub that opened last month, formerly known as The Windmill, in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire.

But the Clarkson’s Farm star has encountered several problems as he enters the hospitality business for the first time.

Sharing an insight on X/Twitter, Clarkson warned: “Publicans. When installing a new oven, ensure it’s not positioned under a smoke detector. Or you will end up spoiling the dining experience for your customers.”

Fans online joked he could provide punters with “complementary earplugs”, and teased him for making a “rookie error”.

Others joked that his unfortunate pub chronicles echo his frustrations that came with his foray into agriculture when he opened his Diddly Squat farm, which is documented in his Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm.

Clarkson said oven mishap ended up ‘spoiling’ dining experience for his customers
Clarkson said oven mishap ended up ‘spoiling’ dining experience for his customers (X/Twitter via @JeremyClarkson)

“Looking forward to the first series of Clarkson’s Pub,” said one fan, as another joked: “Sounds like we might need to have a new show, Clarkson’s Pub.”

The oven incident wouldn’t be the only issue Clarkson has encountered since his pub opening. Last month, he responded to complaints about the pricing of food and drink at the new establishment.

When the menu was first shared online, Clarkson’s fans remarked that there were no prices on the menu, which might suggest that dishes would be more expensive compared to other pubs in the area.

Clarkson at the opening of his pub in August
Clarkson at the opening of his pub in August (PA)

“You know it’s expensive when they don’t include the prices,” wrote one fan on Instagram, as another added: “No prices. Always a worry.”

When one commenter joked on X/Twitter that they would need to remortgage their home to afford a round of drinks at the new pub, Clarkson bluntly responded: “It’s £5.50 a pint.”

The pub’s restaurant has two menus, a weekday main menu, which consists of British classics like sausage and mash, steak pie and a Lancashire hotpot. On weekends, a carvery is served between midday and 9pm.

At the time of the opening, the presenter described the whole process of becoming a pub landlord as “terribly stressful” and said there are many inconveniences that “you don’t think about”.

But he said the business was committed to only using produce that is locally sourced and produced by British farmers.

“The menu changes – it’s whatever we’ve got. There’s no Coca-Cola, no coffee, other pubs do coffee. Cornish tea. We do British food,” he explained to reporters at the pub’s opening. “Everything that you consume in here – every single thing – even the black pepper and the sugar, is grown by British farmers.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in