Jeremy Clarkson has disclosed the staggering costs of running his Farmer's Dog pub in Oxfordshire, blaming 'Starmer's Britain' for making it 'nigh-on impossible' to turn a profit. The former Top Gear host said the venue, which opened in August, is constantly packed but faces relentless financial pressures.
Writing in his Times column, Clarkson described the theft of pint glasses as 'extraordinary', revealing that 104 glasses went missing in a single Sunday. He estimated that around 400 glasses are stolen weekly, adding to the pub's mounting expenses. Other costs include £100 a day for generator fuel, £400 a week for terrace heating, and £27,000 a month for parking and traffic marshals to satisfy local council requirements.
Clarkson also highlighted the impact of Labour government policies, particularly the rise in employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15% and the increase in the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour, both effective from April. He said employing staff in 'Starmer's Britain' has become prohibitively expensive.
Despite the challenges, Clarkson remains determined to keep the pub running, describing it as a 'proper, traditional pub' with warm atmosphere and friendly staff. However, he admitted that behind the scenes 'everything is a total disaster', including a recent toilet incident that required a team of hazmat engineers to resolve. He concluded: 'You'll love it, and I'll lose a fortune and develop a skin disease from the stress of running it.'
