The former Top Gear star has now submitted a new licensing application to West Oxfordshire District Council – which hopes to expand the pub’s ability to sell alcohol on its site to outdoors.
Jeremy Clarkson has submitted plans to expand his newly purchased Cotswolds pub – which includes a first floor bar and extension to its licence to sell alcohol outside.
Clarkson, 64, paid “less than one million” for The Windmill and five acres of countryside, near the village of Burford in Oxfordshire. The dilapidated wedding venue is set to be totally transformed by the Grand Tour host, complete with a new name.
The former Top Gear star has now submitted a new licensing application to West Oxfordshire District Council – which hopes to expand the pub’s ability to sell alcohol on its site to outdoors.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson makes grim discovery after buying Oxfordshire pub on dogging site
Clarkson also hopes to include a bar on the first floor and include a ‘temporary tent’ on the grounds.
In documents submitted to support the proposal, the applicant wrote: “To update the floor plans to include a bar on the first floor, extend the licensable area outside the premises and include a temporary tent in a fixed location.”
Clarkson has set out intentions to ban “noisy TVs”, encourage traditional pub games, serve only British produce, and hand out a free pint of Hawkstone to farmers.
A West Oxfordshire District Council spokesman stated: “We have received an application to vary the Premise Licence at the Windmill Restaurant. It will follow the legal process for an application for this type which starts with a 28 day public consultation before the council determines the request in line with national guidelines, taking into account any feedback received.”
The pub is not expected to open until later this year to allow time for refurbishments, and a wedding booked in before the purchase, to take place. Villagers have previously enthusiastically backed Jeremy Clarkson’s plans to renovate the pub despite fears over increased traffic.
The disruption caused by Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chadlington has attracted some criticism from neighbours. But the inhabitants of nearby Asthall have so far given Clarkson’s big plans the benefit of the doubt.
Tom Walker, 51, who farms livestock and arable, was confident Clarkson’s arrival would buoy the local farming community.
“He’s already spoken to some of the farmers and talked about using their produce,” Tom said, adding: “I think he does a lot of good for farming.”
Tom, who runs the farm with his cousin John, had reservations about the influx of people. He said: “I am worried about the traffic – they will hopefully come off the main road. I think it will do more good than harm.”
Neighbour Derek Netherton, 79, who rents out an Airbnb in the village, was also optimistic about The Windmill’s new owner. He said: “We are excited for the extra custom, but we’re apprehensive about the noise. With a bit of luck the traffic will stay on the A40, as the roads are very narrow.”
Last month Clarkson made a shock discovery on the land of his recently acquired Cotswolds’ pub, finding a pair of black women’s underwear on the grounds of the pub. His fans saw the funny side, with one commenting: “Rename the pub The Dog Inn”, another wrote: “Bet that was left there as a cruel joke by James May”, while a third said: “This is terrible! Please tell me the exact location, time and dates, so I know to avoid missing it.”
The presenter is said to have bought the freehold to it and it reportedly isn’t tied to a brewery. It’s been suggested that as a result he can sell his own beer and farm produce at the venue, which is located around ten miles from Diddly Squat Farm.
Jackie Walker, 79, who is said to have opened the pub with her late husband Alan Walker in 1983, reportedly hadn’t put it on the market and was surprised to be told of Jeremy’s interest which “accelerated into a finalised deal within minutes of their meeting”. She told the outlet that a film crew came into the pub and the “next thing” she knew, someone with Jeremy knocked on the door and asked if she was interested in selling it.
She was reportedly invited to meet with him at his home in a nearby village to discuss possible terms. She said: “The first thing Jeremy said to me was I suppose you want a lot of money for this.” He’s said to have made her an immediate offer that was much more than she had expected. and she accepted immediately. Jackie, who reportedly accepted immediately, said that it made her “laugh” but she noted it “is” Jeremy.
Jackie claims that they met for coffee at his house and that she had taken over maps of the place for the meeting. She described Jeremy and his partner Lisa Hogan as “charming,” adding that she “really liked them”. She added: “I had not been planning to sell the place, but I wasn’t that happy with how it was being run and I am not getting any younger.”
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeand Threads.