Clarkson’s Farm, streaming on Prime Video, has returned with season four, bringing new challenges for Jeremy Clarkson and his farm team. In episode five, Jeremy found himself grappling with surprising expenses after setting his sights on acquiring The Windmill Pub.
During a discussion with farm manager Charlie Ireland, Jeremy was informed of costly repairs looming over the property. The pub’s roof was described as a significant liability, with an estimated £150,000 needed for repairs. Not stopping there, Charlie revealed that fixing the toilets would add another £100,000 to the expenses. Jeremy also learned that wooden elements in the building were labeled as a “fire hazard,” and the property lacked designated disabled parking spaces—a notable drawback.
Jeremy expressed frustration at the negative survey reports, quipping, “All surveys are b****** because they all say ‘this house is falling down’.” Despite his skepticism, the warnings stuck with him long after the meeting.
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That night, the concerns weighed heavily on Jeremy. “I didn’t sleep, I was worried about the pub,” he admitted. Before committing to the purchase, he sought advice from friends with pub-owning experience in a series of virtual meetings. Among those he consulted were Piers Morgan, James Blunt, and James May, who all cautioned him about the pitfalls of pub ownership.
Piers Morgan highlighted a common issue, warning, “People steal stuff from pubs, every publican will tell you. They will nick the salt and pepper pots, they will nick knives and forks. They might even nick plates, they will nick any art they can rip off the walls.” This echoed Jeremy’s own experience after opening The Farmer’s Dog, his other pub venture launched in August 2024.
Unfortunately, theft became a costly problem at The Farmer’s Dog, with 104 pint glasses disappearing in just one week. Such losses, along with daily expenses—£100 for generator fuel, £400 weekly to heat the terrace, and a substantial £27,000 monthly for parking and traffic marshals to appease the council—made profitability a challenge.
Jeremy’s candid reflections underscore the unpredictable realities behind his pub ventures, painting a vivid picture of the stakes involved as he edges closer to another significant investment.