Jodie Kidd took the dramatic decision to close the doors of her country pub after a spate of recent incidents with volatile customers – including one in which a waitress was physically manhandled, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The 46 year old model-turned-publican took her decision to temporarily shut the Half Moon, a 15th century village inn in West Sussex in frustration.
A post on the pub’s Instagram page read: ‘While we know we won’t be to everyone’s taste, it saddens us that in recent weeks we as a team have faced abuse – both verbal and physical.
‘We’d like to remind everyone that behind The Half Moon is a team of people who care deeply about what we do. We are human.’
Now the Mail has established what happened in the episodes she was alluding to at the pub in the village of Kirdford near Chichester.
First, a female member of staff was violently pulled by the arm by an angry diner trying to get her attention – and was left shaken.
Then, in a separate recent incident, a male diner went into a ‘loud meltdown’ after getting worked up while complaining about there being too much salt on his food.
Residents living near Kidd’s pub have blamed wealthy outsiders ‘star struck by the model’s celebrity status’ who have driven for miles in the hope of sampling Michelin-starred quality food similar to Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck – and being underwhelmed by the more traditional menu at more modest prices.
Jodie Kidd, 46, has temporarily shut her West Sussex pub the Half Moon, a 15th century village inn after a series of incidents involving staff and customers
The model-turned-publican has owned the ale house for eight years and can often be seen behind the bar
One regular told us: ‘A young female member of staff was actually grabbed the other day – no-one should have to put up with that when they are at work.’
And a worker at the pub, speaking off the record, confirmed this, saying they had experienced a number of furious customers in recent months.
They told us: ‘In one case a female member of staff was roughly grabbed by a customer who wanted to attract her attention and in another a man stood up and went into a full meltdown about there being too much salt on his food. He really lost control.
‘I think the message Jodie wants to send out is that this type of unpleasant behaviour will not be tolerated. People need to be kinder.’
Locals believe that the 15th-century Grade II listed pub – which Kidd has owned for eight years – has become a victim of its own success and acclaim.
Just this week the Mail’s restaurant critic Tom Parker-Bowles named it as one of the best pubs owned by a celebrity in the UK, adding that it is ‘a proper pub – the sort you’d want to spend a few hours in.’
Locals say the draw of Kidd’s celebrity and strong reviews like this leads many to travel long distances with unrealistic expectations about what is awaiting them.
One Half Moon regular said: ‘I think the food and drink is absolutely excellent but people are travelling from all over the country expecting it to be like the Fat Duck – which it definitely is not.
‘It’s very much shepherds pie and cod and chips here, not Michelin star stuff. ‘
‘In fairness, Jodie has never portrayed the pub to be something that it isn’t. It’s good food at reasonable prices.
‘But people who drive a long way expecting fine dining can be disappointed – and they can make their disappointment a bit too loud and rude.
‘I think that’s happened once too often lately and the staff and owners have collectively had enough.
Another said: ‘Some people come expecting mousses, gels and high end concept food when what’s on offer is good quality but mainstream pub.
‘And it has got tempers rising – culminating in the incident with a waitress being grabbed.
‘Another guy who was complaining about the seasoning on his food had an absolute meltdown.
‘It is a minority of people causing the problems and it’s really unfair because the food is top notch.’
The pub worker added: ‘The food is absolutely delicious and we have a lot of praise for it but people hear about the pub and travel from long distances to eat here. I think their expectations are for something different – but in the end we’re just a cosy village pub.’
Some customers have driven down hoping for Michelin-starred food and been disappointed by Kidd’s traditional pub fare including fish and chips and a Sunday roast
The Half Moon was purchased by Jodie, 46, in 2017 and she can often be seen there.
Another resident said: ‘I feel lucky the The Half Moon is in my village. It is excellent but there are those who feel it is elitist and attracts a posh crowd.
‘People travel from out of the area and there are always very expensive, posh cars parked outside at the weekend.
‘However I have always found the pub welcomes anyone. It is what it is so if you expect a small, rural pub offering lovely tasting food then you won’t be unhappy.’
The pub is closed from Monday to Wednesday when it opens for drinks in the evening.
It is open for food Thursday through to Sunday when it offers a wide range of dishes, including traditional roasts on the Sunday.
Staff said the chef and joint owner, Gavin Roy, prides himself on the varied and changing menu, the ingredients of which he sources as locally as possible.
The post announcing the closure on the pub’s Instagram continued: ‘We’ve worked hard to create more than just a pub – we’ve built a home.
‘A place for people to come together, enjoy good times, and make memories.’
Another post informed patrons the pub would open its doors once again on Thursday September 25.
‘As many of you know, the work never truly stops behind the scenes, so taking some time to rest and recharge is essential.
‘We will be closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and will reopen on Thursday 25th September at 12 Noon as normal,’ they wrote.
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative of Jodie Kidd for comment.
