Jeremy Clarkson‘s £1m pub endured a chaotic opening day today with fans forced to queue for four hours just to get a table -as locals blasted the star for opening a boozer in their quiet corner of the Cotswolds.
People waited patiently all day at The Farmer’s Dog for a £6 pint of his Hawkstone beer or the chance tuck into a £18 plate of sausage and mash – but Clarkson himself admitted the opening had almost been a disaster.
He said: ‘There have been massive, massive struggles. We quietly opened yesterday, and it was a disaster – and I do mean a disaster.
‘We’ve resolved some of the difficulties today.’
It is believed an electrical problem meant that no food could be served to the 150 friends and family invited for what Clarkson called a ‘soft opening’.
People queuing outside Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub, The Farmer’s Dog, for its opening day
The Grand Tour presenter pictured pouring £6 pints. Clarkson himself admitted the opening had almost been a disaster
But the Grand Tour presenter still threw open the doors today with a triumphant shout of ‘we’re open’ – with the grand opening soon descending into chaos as the growing crowds threatened to overwhelm bar staff.
He told fans who had queued for four hours that he was ‘too busy’ for selfies before breaking the news that there were no available tables.
Those who could not stand in line settled for a pint and a burger at a pop-up kitchen called ‘The Farmer’s Puppy alongside a green marquee selling merchandise from the Amazon TV series Clarkson’s Farm.
Locals in the nearby village of Asthall blasted the pub opening, claiming that the small country roads around the pub will be clogged with traffic and there would be parking problems.
Problems with the pop-up kitchen which at times was overwhelmed by food orders led Clarkson and his partner Lisa Hogan to visit and encourage staff.
Fears that the small country roads around the pub would be clogged with traffic failed to materialise because of a giant overflow car park in an adjoining field being used for up to 2,000 cars.
Eager fans had flocked to the pub as soon as the gates to the car park opened at 7.30am and within an hour it was full.
Staff in high viz jackets directed cars to the overflow car park.
Long queues wind around the new pub on its opening day
The car park, which opened at 7.30am was full within the hour
Clarkson stands outside his new pub with his girlfriend Lisa Hogan in Asthall in Oxfordshire on its opening day
People stand inside The Farmer’s Dog waiting to be served
A tractor hangs from the ceiling of Clarkson’s new pub
A sign outside The Farmer’s Dog stated that everything the pub serves is ‘grown or raised or produced’ in the UK. It warned customers that they don’t serve ketchup
Customers could buy Diddly Squart Farm exfoliating hand soap for £6.80 or a mushroom growkit
Another product on offer was the ‘This Smells Like My B*******’ candle for £22
A stressed Clarkson himself admitted the opening of his new pub had almost been a disaster
The Top Gear presenter found the time to have a pint himself on the chaotic opening day of The Farmer’s Dog
A sign for the carpark entrance to the Farmer’s Dog. An overflow carpark was quickly opened
Vehicles were forced to park on nearby roads – as a layby was closed to prevent them from doing so. Locals in the nearby village of Asthall blasted the pub opening, claimingthere would would be parking problems
Clarkson holds girlfriend Lisa Hogan’s hand amid the chaos of opening day
The local council – fully aware of how traffic chaos has blighted Diddly Squat farm and angered local residents – made sure there was no repeat at The Farmer’s Dog.
A nearby layby had been closed to prevent cars from parking and the speed limt off the nearby A40 road had been lowered.
Clarkson acknowledged the part West Oxfordshire Council had played in helping him open the pub months ahead of the scheduled time.
But not everyone was thrilled to see Clarkson and his fans descend on the quiet corner of the Cotswolds.
Local resident Adam Shackleton ranted on social media about the new pub and the problems it could bring to the area.
He said:’ Putting another shop there and a pub should not be allowed. There’s enough parking for the pub, but a shop to. How are they allowed to do that !!!
‘Did they even get permission to put up a new shop.’
Other locals were also less than complimentary and were concerned about the increase in traffic.
Karen Plant wrote on X:’ Really does affect local people trying to get around. The idiots that fall for his marketing they have no idea where they go.
‘He (Clarkson) does not care about anything but himself and making money’
Local councillor Liam Walker had voiced concerns about traffic and urged the council to drop the speed limit on a roundabout leading to the pub from 60mph to 40mph to avoid any possible crashes.
He also wants to see double yellow lines painted on the lane leading to the pub.
Clarkson said he had chosen the site of the former Windmill pub as it had plenty parking – and was thrilled there wasn’t any of the chaos that followed when he opened Diddly Squat.
He said: ‘The main thing everyone has been saying is that we will cause traffic chaos.
Clarkson told fans who had been queuing for four hours that he was ‘too busy’ for selfies
People queued for four hours to get inside the pub and to see Clarkson (pictured) in person
People wait to be served at Clarkson’s pub on its opening day
The menu at The Farmer’s dog includes chicken liver pate on toast, steak pie or the ‘sausage of the day’ with mash. Desserts include apple crumble or strawberry meringue
Gerald Cooper arrives for the opening of The Farmer’s Dog, giving media a thumbs up
An aerial view of Clarkson’s new pub The Farmer’s Dog in Oxfordshire
People relax in the garden of Clarkson’s pub after long waits
Diddly Squat Farm selling Jeremy’s Hot Seed Beer Mustard for £6 per jar
Customers could also treat themselves to Wet Perfume for £38 a bottle
A self-service milk dispenser sits outside The Farmer’s Dog
Clarkson spotted carrying mushrooms on the opening day of his new pub – which proved to be stressful
‘We’ve worked so hard to make sure we can park as many cars as we need to. The traffic is flowing brilliantly.
‘The council have learned their lessons and they have been really helpful.
‘We’ve got a farmers’ bar in there and we are buying everything directly from the fields.’