A drone view of Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Jeremy Clarkson’s latest venture, a pub in Asthall, Oxfordshire, is set to open its doors this Friday. The establishment, now named The Farmer’s Dog, has sparked national interest and concerns over potential traffic issues, following the success of his Diddly Squat farm shop.
The former Top Gear host disclosed earlier this year that he acquired the pub, formerly known as The Windmill, for “less than £1 million”. In preparation for the grand opening, a marquee has been set up within the five-acre site. However, Clarkson’s expansion efforts in West Oxfordshire, including his Diddly Squat farm project featured in his popular Amazon series, Clarkson’s Farm, have previously met with resistance from local residents.
Concerns have been raised about possible traffic congestion due to the pub’s location next to the busy A40 road. One local resident expressed their worries on Facebook, stating: “I’m delighted he’s breathing some new life into that pub,” but adding, “I do worry about traffic though. I popped by the farm shop at the weekend. It was utter chaos.”
They described how the large new car park and an overflow area across the road were both full, leading to marshals advising a wait time of over two hours. Another resident suggested: “Might need three lanes on the A40 for the queuing cars and parked cars.”
Jeremy will be serving his own Hawkstone beer at the new pub (Image: Instagram)
Earlier this month, County and District councillor Liam Walker took to the internet to express his strong backing for Jeremy Clarkson‘s initiatives, while also urging Oxfordshire County Council “to ensure lessons have been learnt from the farm shop particularly around the problematic verge parking”.Â
He further stated: “We know fans from across the country are going to flock to his pub and I feel we have a responsibility to try and make the roads nearby safe for visitors and those passing by.”
In a more recent statement released on Thursday, Mr Walker threw his full weight behind Clarkson’s latest business endeavour, citing its potential to bolster the local economy and attract tourists to West Oxfordshire. His words were clear: “There is no ‘parking row’ here, I am merely doing what local residents would expect and working on getting mitigations in place to reduce traffic and parking issues ensuring lessons have been learnt from the farm shop.Jeremy has my full support with his next venture, and I want the pub to be a success.”
Previously, Mr Walker had engaged with the local highway team to deliberate over the launch of the new pub. Oxfordshire County Council has acknowledged its “closely and pro-actively” coordinated efforts with Mr Clarkson’s team in anticipation of the opening.
A sign for Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub, The Farmer’s Dog (Image: PA)
The council spokesperson highlighted: “Several measures have been taken to reduce the likelihood of traffic and parking related problems, and to support the safe and successful opening of the site.
“Footway improvements have been made to better link the existing adjacent bus stops on the B4047 with the site of the pub to provide a safe and more sustainable option for those visitors that are able to take advantage of the hourly bus service, but whom might otherwise have travelled by car.
“Whilst double yellow lines are not currently being considered at this time, measures have been taken to highlight the inappropriateness of parking on highway verges in the area, and to deter the same.”
The council has urged drivers to stick to designated off-highway car parks and avoid parking on roads or grassy verges. “Parking will be monitored, and if necessary, controls may be imposed in the future,” said the council spokesperson.
“The layby located on the A40 opposite the pub will be temporarily closed as a precautionary safety measure to prevent its use by those visiting the pub who would then need to have crossed the busy A40 on foot.”
“Consideration is being given to a reduction in the speed limit from the existing 60mph, to 40mph to improve safety on each of the approaches to the A40 roundabout, including that of the B4047.”
Jeremy Clarkson expressed his gratitude towards Oxfordshire County Council for their assistance with the launch of his new pub. In a social media post on Thursday evening, he shared: “Credit where credit is due. Our new pub opens tomorrow and this might sound odd but I’d like to thank Oxfordshire County Council for all their help. We couldn’t have done it so fast without you.”
Clarkson, the renowned TV personality, has previously been caught up in a dispute over his plans to increase visitor access to his farm and its associated shop. His Amazon show, which provides an insight into the operations of his Diddly Squat farm, a 1,000-acre enterprise in the Cotswolds, has piqued the interest of tourists who are keen to sample the broadcaster’s produce.
The Farmer’s Dog, near Burford in Oxfordshire, is bound to be a hit with locals and tourists (Image: PA)
As a result, queues at the shop have reportedly become a common sight. The TV star had plans to expand the car park on his Oxfordshire farm plot to accommodate 70 vehicles, but these proposals were initially met with resistance from West Oxfordshire District Council.
He also ran into trouble with his local authority over a restaurant on his farm, which was allegedly opened without planning permission and subsequently shut down by the council. Clarkson has expressed his intention to sell his own Hawkstone lager as well as produce reared on his nearby Diddly Squat Farm at the pub.