Jeremy Clarkson breaks silence on Diddly Squat farm shop closure as he issues statement to visitors
Jeremy Clarkson has spoken out about the current closure of his farm shop for the first time since it was confirmed last month.
It was initially announced that Clarkson and co would be closing the doors to the shop in Chadlington, Oxfordshire from December 30 to the end of January but it’s since been extended to the whole of February, according to the Oxford Mail.
The news will have undoubtedly been a blow to fans of the former Top Gear host who’ve regularly descended on the small village of Chadlington near Chipping Norton ever since the shop first opened its doors.
However, while trading at the Chadlington shop may be suspended for now, Clarkson’s new Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, has remained open for his fans to visit.
Not only that, the pub’s grounds are also home to a giant marquee that contains a Diddly Squat pop-up shop that will remain open while the flagship farm shop is shut.
Clarkson took to X on Wednesday for the first time in weeks to address the closure and reiterate the fact it was only temporary as he pointed disappointed fans towards his pub in Asthall near Burford, Oxfordshire.
In the social media post, Clarkson penned to his eight million followers: “While it’s true that the farm shop at Diddly Squat is closed as usual until March, the farm shop at the Farmer’s Dog is very much open.
“Every day apart from Mondays and Tuesdays. You can grab a burger too and a pint.”
Before long, fans rushed to thank Clarkson for keeping them in the loop after reports of the farm shop’s temporary closure hit headlines.
“Thanks for the update I look forward to the Farm shop opening in March,” one X user replied to the Grand Tour host’s post.
While it’s true that the farm shop at Diddly Squat is closed as usual until March, the farm shop at the Farmer’s Dog is very much open. Every day apart from Mondays and Tuesdays. You can grab a burger too and a pint.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) January 8, 2025
“When I finally cross the pond for a visit, you are on my list of stops,” a second added before a third echoed: “Glad I made it there when I was visiting the uk for the holidays, great drink and great beef! Weather leaves much to be desired.”
And a fourth echoed: “I mean always made sense to close a business during off months like January and February. Lived in a resort town and that was normal there.” (sic)
Clarkson’s return to social media comes just days after the Diddly Squat Instagram page shared the announcement to its followers.
“Polite reminder. Diddly Squat Farm Shop is closed throughout January and February. The farm shop will reopen on Saturday 1st March 2025,” the announcement read.
Allaying any fears, the statement went on: “This closure is normal and has been the case in previous years. You can still shop Diddly Squat products at The Farmer’s Dog pub which is back open as usual now.”
Clarkson’s pub will undoubtedly feature heavily in the upcoming fourth season of his hit Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm, but it’s a business venture the 64-year-old recently branded a “complete disaster”.
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Since opening the doors to the Farmer’s Dog in August, Clarkson has claimed he’s finding it near-impossible to turn a profit.
From forking out monthly five-figure sums “to keep the council off our backs” to bouts of stealing that have resulted in new anti-theft measures, Clarkson’s project has been far from plain sailing.
He’s even sparked controversy with the clientele he’s allowed into the pub, with Hollywood star Ellen DeGeneres and Christian Horner two guests that divided fans after they appeared in social media updates.
However, he’s also been on the receiving end of plenty of praise after he and partner Lisa Hogan went above and beyond for punters who journeyed out when Storm Darragh hit the establishment at the end of 2024.