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Jeremy Clarkson says he’s quitting his pub after multiple staff departures
Jeremy Clarkson Bids Farewell to Pub Ownership After Staff Difficulties at The Farmer’s Dog
Jeremy Clarkson, the well-known broadcaster and star of Clarkson’s Farm, has declared an end to his ventures as a pub landlord following a storm of difficulties at his recently opened Cotswolds establishment, The Farmer’s Dog. After only a year since opening its doors, the pub has experienced both booming crowds and a series of operational headaches, culminating in multiple staff walkouts and ongoing management challenges. As Clarkson candidly put it: “I am not starting another business as long as I live.”
A Promising Start—Met with Chaos
The Farmer’s Dog, set close to Clarkson’s popular Diddly Squat Farm, launched during the August Bank Holiday to significant local and media fanfare. Hundreds queued to be among the first patrons, eager to sample an evolving menu featuring produce sourced from the farm itself and to enjoy a bit of Clarkson’s rural hospitality. Despite this promising start and a staff of 146 assembled for the venture, Clarkson found himself dramatically out of his depth in the traditional pub business.
He faced immediate, tangible problems during the hectic opening—power outages, logistical snags, and a now-infamous controversy over umbrellas costing £40,000. These setbacks coincided with several staff resignations, highlighting serious issues with the pub’s infrastructure and work conditions. These events became key storylines in the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm, streamed on Prime Video, capturing raw moments of staff frustration and the harsh realities of rural hospitality.
Staff Exhaustion and Structural Issues
Within days of opening, staff began to speak out about the overwhelming conditions. Senior members, including waitresses and kitchen staff, left after just one or two shifts, citing exhaustion and inadequate facilities. In frank discussions on the show and in subsequent interviews, front-of-house staff like Sue and Rachel described working conditions that fell short of industry standards. Staff lacked a proper staff room, and due to incomplete renovations, some had to use portable toilets.
Rachel, reflecting on her experience, remarked, “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 echoed similar sentiments, noting that despite admiration for Clarkson and his ethos, the relentless pace and poor facilities “exhausted everyone." The staff’s candid interviews have fueled widespread discussion online and have even drawn a degree of backlash, prompting them to further clarify their positions in media appearances and on social media.
Clarkson’s Response and Admission
Despite the outcry and public attention, Clarkson has expressed sympathy and holds no ill will towards his staff. He acknowledged the difficult circumstances, stating, “Not one single problem with the staff. They’re all brilliant. They are smiling. They are…” His comments—aired during tense scenes with his land agent Charlie Ireland—revealed his growing frustration with the business side of hospitality, especially under such scrutiny.
The struggles of The Farmer’s Dog were compounded by Clarkson’s own admission that the pub is not financially sustainable, claiming “he actually loses a tenner every time someone eats there.” This blend of personal and financial stress has convinced Clarkson that The Farmer’s Dog will be his final business endeavor of this kind.
A Last Toast for The Farmer’s Dog
As the fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm drew to a close, fans witnessed just how steep the learning curve has been for the former Top Gear host in his pub experiment. The show’s transparent depiction of opening day chaos—staff walkouts, technical breakdowns, and emotional conversations—has resonated with viewers and the broader hospitality community.
Despite the bruising experience, The Farmer’s Dog continues to operate, offering a menu sourced from British farmers and a glimpse into the realities behind TV stardom and rural entrepreneurship. Whether future seasons will see a turnaround or further complications remains to be seen, but for now, Clarkson’s message is unequivocal: no more new businesses.
For a deeper look at the challenges of running The Farmer’s Dog, readers can catch the latest episodes of Clarkson’s Farm on Prime Video. For more details about the staff exodus and their side of the story, see this coverage from LADbible. You can also follow updates on Jeremy Clarkson’s ventures in the Cotswolds via Express News and read direct interviews with staff who left following the pub’s turbulent opening.
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