Jeremy Clarkson reveals the staggering five-figure monthly cost he faces just to keep ‘council off our back’
Jeremy Clarkson has shared the difficulties of running a pub after reflecting on the first few months since the launch of The Farmer’s Dog in Oxfordshire earlier this year.
The former Top Gear star was eager to finally open the doors of his pub and restaurant, but has since had his eyes opened to the realities of running a big establishment.
Clarkson, 64, added to his growing array of business ventures by opening the pub in August, but has now detailed the eye-watering costs of keeping the place afloat and the “council off our back”.
The Grand Tour star admitted he’d believed “it would all be fine,” but has realised “I was wrong”. Since the grand opening, he has opened up about various issues with the pub as well as having to appease the local council.
He further detailed problems over the weekend, reflecting on the costs of replacing glassware that has been disappearing as well as reeling off the staggering costs fans may not be aware of.
And there’s one eye-watering expenditure that Clarkson claims he has to fork out for just to avoid another head-to-head with the local council.
“(The cost of replacing stolen glasses) must be added to the £100 a day we spend on fuel for the generator, the £400 a week it costs to provide warmth on the terrace and the £27,000 a month we must spend on parking and traffic marshals to keep the council off our back,” the farmer shared.
Detailing further the “horror” situation he’s found himself in, he recounted an issue with the toilets, commenting: “No amount of festival visits would prepare you for the horror of what had been produced at the Farmer’s Dog.
“It was everywhere and in such vast quantities that no ordinary plumbing or cleaning equipment would even scratch the surface.
“So a whole team of chemically trained hazmat engineers had to be employed. That’s a cost I’d never factored into any of my business plans.”
“It’s galling to see how much effort is required to make so little money on the farm. It’s worse at the pub,” he continued to The Sunday Times.
“The customers are coming. There’s no problem there. But turning their visits into a profit is nigh-on impossible.”
However, the presenter went on to reveal famed chef Marco Pierre White had paid a visit to The Farmer’s Dog and had praised Clarkson’s menu.
Despite the various problems the petrolhead-turned-farmer has faced with his new project, he’s been applauded by many of the pub’s visitors.
During a bout of bad weather earlier this month, he was forced to close his Diddly Squat farm shop and butchers, but kept the pub open.
However, he offered to assist fans in rescheduling their visit due to the dangerous conditions.
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A social media post from the pub’s official account penned: “It’s warm and cosy inside by the fire with delicious British farmed food and drink – but it’s windy outside so if you are coming for dinner with us tonight and would prefer to move your booking to January instead – we will happily accommodate you.
“If you are still coming along be careful of parking in the wood where there could be branches flying about in the wind – park up nearest the pub..#backbritishfarmingdrinkhawkstone.”
Fans were quick to express their appreciation for the gesture, with many thanking Clarkson and the pub’s staff for the offer, which many were forced to take up.
“Jeremy’s pub sounds like a great place and it shows in his concern for your safety and his staff’s safety, hats off to him he is very passionate about his farm and his pub,” one commented.