Jeremy Clarkson has conceded that pub consultants Sue and Rachel Hawkins may have “had a point” during one of their many frosty interactions in the fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm.
In the second half of the new season, Clarkson hired Sue and Rachel to help him get his new pub off the ground.
The pair have spent a career turning run-down and failing pubs in the Cotswolds into thriving businesses and, as such, Clarkson employed the duo to sprinkle some magic on his pub, The Farmer’s Dog.
However, their working relationship was plagued with rather tense clashes as the aunty and niece duo laid out their plans to transform the eyesore into a welcoming establishment.
Clarkson clashed with Sue and Rachel over all manner of things, from the barstools failing to swivel and the cleanliness of the pub on opening day to a misplaced carvery counter.
However, arguably the most talked about difference in opinion between the trio came when Sue and Rachel revealed their plans for the decking at the back of the pub.
“First on our list, covering the deck with some jumbrellas,” Rachel said to Clarkson after sitting him down in episode six. “We needed to sign it off about 40 minutes to guarantee them arriving.
“(They’re) three enormous umbrellas to cover the entire deck, approximately £40,000.”
“Including electrics, lighting, and future-proofing…” Sue chipped in as Clarkson sat open-mouthed in disbelief.
“We have spoken to Alan about it -” Rachel weighed in, referring to Clarkson’s trusty builder, Alan Townsend, but the former Top Gear star held his hand up to cut her off.
“Sorry, you’re saying words… £40,000 for three umbrellas. £40,000 for three umbrellas!” he said. “I’m well aware we need umbrellas, I know that, but I really genuinely believe that’s nuts.”
Rachel explained her thought process: “What we were trying to avoid is… because we could cover that deck a lot more cheaply with a parasol-type situation but given the size of the deck, we would need probably 50. So it would look like a sea of umbrellas.”
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Clarkson held his head in his hands as he let out: “How have I come around to this point? I just cannot believe I’m 64 and someone has just said to me the price of the umbrellas is £40,000. You can buy a Golf GTI for that.”
Sue and Rachel were eventually snubbed of their request by Clarkson after Alan told him the decking price had over doubled.
Instead of erecting the “overpriced” jumbrellas, Clarkson opted for a canopy, but soon conceded it made the dining room “unbelievably dark”. He admitted: “That could be an expensive mistake.”
Eventually, the working relationship between Clarkson and his consultants broke down, ending with a fiery confrontation just 48 hours after opening the pub’s doors and the duo leaving the project.
It also resulted in fans taking to the web to slam Rachel and Sue for their conduct, with several viewers branding the pair “condescending” and “unprofessional” with their behaviour.
However, just a few days after the finale’s release, Clarkson has taken to social media to concede he perhaps should’ve listened to the duo about one issue, in particular.
Clarkson revealed he has indeed had to fork out for the “jumbrellas”, despite being adamant Sue and Rachel’s plan was a non-starter.
“Turns out Sue and Rachel had a point,” Clarkson confessed on Instagram. “@thefarmersdogpub did need big umbrellas after all!!”
Despite admitting Sue and Rachel were right on this issue, fans flocked to the comments section to still side with Clarkson as they hit out at the pair’s conduct.
“But, they blamed you for a pub they could not manage despite the fact they were responsible for setting it up, then jumped ship,” one fan raged.
“They were f’ing rude and came across as snobby bleeps,” a second hit out before a third mocked: “I loved it most when after they had spent a fortune and then near completion decided the place wasn’t fit for purpose…”
And a fourth similarly fumed at the pair: “Shame they bailed on you when push came to shove. We can all launch a pub when things go smoothly, it’s when things are tough that you needed them. The chef, Nick was a good example. Kept his head but told you how it was and stuck with it!”
Meanwhile, it appears the decision has been endorsed by a number of Clarkson’s Farm star who “liked” the update.
Harriet Cowan, Lisa Hogan and Annie Gray also “liked” the post, despite it meaning Clarkson had to U-turn on his disagreement with Sue and Rachel.
