Clarkson opens his new pub as followers queue for hours to have a pint

Jeremy Clarkson today opened his new pub to acclaim from fans who queued for hours to be among the first to sink a pint at his latest venture.

More than four hours before the doors of ‘The Farmer’s Dog’ opened for business at noon, dozens of people had taken their place outside in blustery conditions.

Many had travelled long distances to the picturesque spot outside of the Cotswold village of Burford where Clarkson bought a pub known as The Windmill for just under £1million two months ago.

TV crews from the popular TV series ‘Clarkson’s Farm‘ were on hand to film the grand opening.

The popularity of the new pub meant that the car park was full within an hour of opening.

Clarkson was given a rousing cheer when he arrived in a white Jaguar convertible. His Clarkson Farm co- star Caleb Cooper was also an early arrival.

On the stroke of noon Clarkson emerged through the front doors of the pub and shouted: ‘We are open!’

He then held up his mobile phone to prove that he was on time for the noon opening.

As dozens of people surged forward with mobile phones, Clarkson apologised and said he would not be able to do any ‘selfies’.

Several people in the crowd shouted out ‘good on you Jeremy’ and ‘good luck’.

Clarkson said he had chosen the pub for his latest venture as it was least likely to ‘p*** off’ local residents.

He said: ‘We looked at about 40 and we needed a very special set of things, like a big car park, a big car park and lots of parking. And no little roads to get to it and no villagers to p*** off here.

There is no one to annoy so it’s a good spot.’

Clarkson said becoming a publican was a step into the unknown and joked that his next venture might be to open a cinema.

‘After farming and pubs they are the ones in trouble.’

The TV star said he hoped to make a success of ‘The Farmer’s Dog’ but added using only British produce meant that profit margins would be much lower.

He said using pork from his Diddly Squat farm would cost 0.74p to turn into sausage to be sold at the pub.

But if he used imported pig meat it would be 0.18p.

‘It costs us 0.74p to get a sausage into here, but if I buy imported pig meat it is 0.18. There is something wrong with the food system in this country,.’

Clarkson delighted fans by going on an impromptu walkabout in the expansive field where dozens of people sat at wooden picnic tables.

Accompanied by his partner Lisa Hogan, he shook hands and walked to a pop up kitchen called ‘The Farmer’s puppy.’

He again refused requests to pose for selfies but acknowledged the large crowds who followed in his wake.

Many shouted out their best wishes to the TV star and wished his pub every success. 

An adjoining field that could cater for up to 2,000 cars had been rented for the day to cope with expected influx of customers.

An hour before the pub opened more than 400 people had joined the queue which snaked through the car park and past a green marquee selling produce from Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm. Event staff in high viz jackets were on duty to keep order.

Lauren Hanly and her friend Blake Jones were the first in the queue waiting for the green doors of the recently renovated pub to open to the paying public for the first time.

The 34-year-old former pub manager said she was hoping Clarkson would pull the first pint to be sold at the pub.

‘We are big fans of his and just wanted to be here to support the opening and see what it is like.

‘I’m pretty certain that it is going to be a big success. As a pub manager I think it is great that he has chosen to go into the pub trade.’

Students Molly Dunn and her friend Max Morris drove from Bath to be among to enjoy lunch at the venue.

Molly said:’ It took us about an hour and half to get here. We like watching Clarkson’s Farm so thought why not.’

Molly’s dad Hugh also said he was a huge fan of Clarkson – although he joked it wasn’t everyday that he was drinking a pint at 9am in the morning.

Despite queuing for two hours in the sunshine fans of Clarkson were still enthusiastic about paying their first visit to the pub.

‘It’s worth the wait as it’s a one off,’ said Alan Adams. ‘It was great to see Jeremy in person and I hope he does really well.’

Those visitors unable to get a table inside or on the terrace of the pub settled for a £14 lamb kebab or £16 burger being sold from the pop up kitchen.

A long queue stretched from the green marguee that has often been seen in ‘The Grand Tour’ series.

James Hixon said he wanted to be among the first to experience the Clarkson hospitality.

‘I think it is very brave that he has opened a pub, and I’m sure it will be a big success. You only have to look at the people who are here hours before it opens to know that it will do well. Good luck to him.’

Before the pub opened visitors were able to get an early morning pint from a marquee set up in the grounds.

As well as selling beer from a brewery part owned by Clarkson it was also doing a roaring trade in selling produce from the TV star’s Diddly Squat Farm.

Various chutneys, oils and souvenirs such as tea towels and soap were on offer.

A mobile kitchen called ‘The Farmer’s puppy’ served burgers and other food had been set up alongside the green marquee.

Clarkson has insisted only British produce will be served at his pub.

That meant people who wanted to a cup of Cornish tea at £3 were told there was no sugar available to sweeten the drink.

‘I’m sorry but we have no sugar as its not produced in this country so we can’t serve any,’ said a member of staff.

Clarkson,64, has clashed with the local council over planning issues for his Diddly Squat farm.

But he was full of praise for West Oxfordshire Council saying: ‘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. They’ve been fantastic.’