Jeremy Clarkson has sparked fury after his Oxfordshire pub announced restrictive new rules ahead of the Christmas season.
The 64-year-old opened The Farmer’s Dog in August, with fans flocking to visit ever since.
The wildly popular pub, found in Asthall, Oxfordshire, has been packed with patrons since opening its doors.
Clarkson’s new venture has also attracted stars, from talk show icon Ellen DeGeneres and Australian soap star Natalie Imbruglia to a surprise gig from legendary Irish band The Corrs.
Such is the success of the pub that Clarkson has already applied for an extension to accommodate the number of customers.
However, The Farmer’s Dog’s triumph has meant it now needs to enforce additional rules ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Diners hoping to book a table at the pub during the Christmas week are being met with the news that they can only stay at their table for an hour.
“Please note your table is required back by 20:30. Please check the confirmation email for more details,” the booking message for a 7:30pm table reads.
The pub promises a sumptuous £40 per-head three-course feast, topped with Clarkson’s own Hawkstone Lager.
Hopeful punters were left dismayed at the prospect of rushing their festive meal.
“How are we expected to down three courses and drinks in an hour?” one fan fumed on social media.
Another slammed Clarkson for “fleecing his customers again”.
However, a third felt it would still be worth the visit, suggesting: “By all accounts the food there is fantastic. And best of all it supports our ailing farming industry.”
Chiming with Clarkson’s championing of British rural issues, The Farmer’s Dog boasts its menu is “packed with local ingredients from British farms”.
This mission statement even extends to the drinks on offer, serving only British booze and opting for homegrown alternatives to popular fizzy drinks like Coca-Cola.
For their festive main meal, lucky diners can expect a classic locally sourced turkey breast, served with pigs in blankets, sage & onion stuffing and roast potatoes.
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As Christmas approaches, the speedy dining restrictions can only be avoided when booking a later table – punters will be afforded at much more leisurely experiences with reservations after 20:30.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not need to worry about getting a table after Clarkson barred the Labour leader in August.
Clarkson’s feud with the government has only grown after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an end to inheritance tax exemptions for British farmers in her Autumn budget.
