Two pub consultants who left Jeremy Clarkson‘s pub only 48 hours after its opening have snapped back online amid an online storm over £40,000 umbrellas.
In last two episodes of the Amazon Prime show, Clarkson’s Farm, pub advisors Sue and Rachel Hawkins were hired to help usher the Farmer’s Dog in the right direction.
The duo, known in the Cotswolds for their pub transformations, raised eyebrows among fans with their expensive suggestions despite Clarkson’s £25,000 budget.
And it was the suggestion of £40,000 umbrellas, shot down by the broadcaster who owns the watering hole in Asthall, Oxfordshire, that left viewers particularly enraged.
The pair gave up their duties only two days after opening, after a tense conversation with Clarkson about the tavern’s ‘many issues’.
As the three sat down together, Rachel described the building as ‘not really fit for purpose’, urging the former Top Gear presenter to chat with his kitchen staff.
‘There are too many issues for us to run a successful business from this site, with failing water, no toilets, no gas, leaking roofs, and struggling staff.’
Sue chimed in, saying: ‘Everyone is exhausted… there’s no staff room. They’re weeing in a porta-loo. It’s not lovely conditions. They love you and they love working here because of that.
‘They’re excited about the British food, and everything this pub is, they want to get behind it… but they’re working 14-hour days.’
Pub consultants, Sue (centre) and Rachel Hawkinshave faced criticism from Clarkson’s fans this week after leaving the pub only 48 hours after it officially opened
Rachel has since taken a swipe back at Clarkson after the broadcaster confessed he caved in and purchased the umbrellas, having initially refused to
In a somewhat tense exchange between the three, the duo famed for their pub transformation in the Cotswolds raised the pubs ‘many issues’ with Clarkson
After the episode aired, fans sunk their claws into the duo, dubbing them ‘horrendous’, criticising their ‘attitude’ as well as their sudden departure.
But Rachel has since hit back at fans as well as the petrol head, after he confessed on Instagram that her and Sue’s expensive umbrella suggestion was the way to go.
Clarkson, 65, wrote beneath a picture of the ‘controversial’ outdoor gear: ‘Turns out Sue and Rachel had a point. The Farmer’s Dog Pub did need big umbrellas after all.’
Rachel, whose long-term partner is former National Hunt jockey Will Kennedy, was quick to quip back.
She shared Clarkson’s snap on her own Instagram and replied: ‘And behold… the exact 40k umbrellas that have been the topic of so much discussion.
‘Not blocking the view and providing a year round weather solution with heating and lighting in order that 75 guests can dine.’
Earlier today, Clarkson’s Farm fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their fury about the women’s attitude towards Clarkson during the show’s finale.
‘These two took all the money and after just two days of operation, claimed the building was not suitable as a pub, quit, and left all the mess behind,’ one quipped.
Rachel Hawkins was one of the pub advisors hired to help usher the Farmer’s Dog in the right direction
Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the duo with several fans unhappy with their attitude
‘These 2 “experts” the entire time had no issues with the pub, just wanted Jeremy to spend, spend, spend.
‘Tough opening and they both just f**k off, saying building’s knackered. Where was that thought process before opening? Absolute frauds.
‘Never have I seen 2 people promise so much and deliver so little. I have a burning hatred of everything they are.
‘They took on a job, they didn’t raise imperative issues before hand and just let people suffer and stress.’
One viewer questioned: ‘So Sue and Rachel just walked out after two days, is that how experts normally operate when things go wrong?’
Another branded the duo as an ‘awful pair of individuals’, in a vicious swipe before adding: ‘Happy as Larry when taking the money, but jump ship as soon as the going gets tough.’
Sue and Rachel are very familiar with the quaint Cotswolds pub scene, with their tavern, The Hare at Milton-under-Wychwood, bagging the title of top pub in the county.
Rachel also enjoys a lavish life in the countryside, having previously put her £2.8million home up for a raffle where tickets were £10 each.
The hospitality entrepreneur has also rubbed shoulders with ITV royalty Sarah Kate Byrne, styling racegoes with her ahead of the Royal Ascot Derby.
It comes after a string of Clarkson fans risked igniting the wrath of their hero earlier today after sharing their opinions on a receipt for Sunday roast at his famed haunt.
Joanna Teresa, a visitor to The Farmer’s Dog, posted a picture of her Sunday lunch bill to the social media site.
The hearty family meal out came to £174.04 – including five roasts, some drinks, sides and a service charge.
Bravely defending the price of her feast at The Farmer’s Dog, the customer gushed about her culinary experience once she had made it into the packed pub.
‘Went to the farmers dog yesterday, what a lovely experience,’ she said.
It comes after a string of Jeremy Clarkson fans have risked igniting the wrath of their hero after they took to Facebook to pick apart another customer’s receipt from his pub (pictured)
Joanna coughed up £24 for a roast beef dinner, with those looking to tuck in to a beef and pork medley required to part with £26
The former Top Gear presenter seen walking among pieces of farm machinery at the tractor sale in Sutton, near Ely in Cambridgeshire. His trusted farm manager Kaleb Cooper (right) was also spotted at the event
A large film crew was seen with Clarkson and Cooper as they attended the auction to sell his colossal £85,000 tractor
Jeremy Clarkson has sold his new Lamborghini tractor (pictured) just months after making the agonising decision to buy it
‘Very busy but once we were in the pub for our meal it was a relaxed atmosphere, the food was delicious staff were brilliant.
‘Great price for 6 roast dinners & drinks. Highly recommend.’
Joanna coughed up £24 for a roast beef dinner, with those looking to tuck in to a beef and pork medley required to part with £26.
A portion of honey and mustard chipolatas cost £5 while an extra Yorkshire pudding added £1.50 onto the bill.
When it came to drinks, Clarkson’s Hawkstone Premium lager were priced at £7 per pint – Joanna’s group indulged in two of these – while a medium glass of white wine set the group back another tenner.
Another added: ‘£7 for a pint is a bit excessive.’
A third posted: ‘Looks great but £24 for a Sunday lunch should include the Yorkshire pud.’
Elsewhere on the famed Diddly Squat farm, Clarkson sold his new Lamborghini tractor just months after making the agonising decision to buy it.
The former Top Gear presenter was spotted at a farm machinery and tractor sale in Sutton, near Ely in Cambridgeshire, selling his colossal £85,000 tractor.
He was seen attending the auction on Monday alongside his trusted farm manager Kaleb Cooper, 26, as well as a large film crew.
