Cotswold villagers can’t wait to cash in on Clarkson’s pub from how to get big back Watch Video

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✓ Published: 03-Jul-2024

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Villagers have enthusiastically backed Jeremy Clarkson’s plans to renovate a Cotswolds' pub despite fears over increased traffic. <br/><br/>Clarkson, 64, paid “less than one million” for The Windmill and five acres of countryside, near the pretty village of Burford in Oxfordshire.<br/><br/>The dilapidated wedding venue is set to be totally transformed by the Grand Tour host, complete with a new name. <br/><br/>The disruption caused by Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chadlington has attracted some criticism from neighbours. <br/><br/>But the inhabitants of nearby Asthall have so far given Clarkson’s big plans the benefit of the doubt.<br/><br/>Tom Walker, 51, who farms livestock and arable, was confident Clarkson’s arrival would buoy the local farming community. <br/><br/>“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.”<br/><br/>Tom, who runs the farm with his cousin John, had reservations about the influx of people. <br/><br/>He said: “I am worried about the traffic - they will hopefully come off the main road. <br/><br/>“I think it will do more good than harm.”<br/><br/>Neighbour Derek Netherton, 79, who rents out an Airbnb in the village, was also optimistic about The Windmill’s new owner. <br/><br/>He said: “We are excited for the extra custom, but we’re apprehensive about the noise. <br/><br/>“With a bit of luck the traffic will stay on the A40, as the roads are very narrow.”<br/><br/>Derek said he had watched Clarkson’s Farm, which he praised for being very good for farmers. <br/><br/>In the Sunday Times, Clarkson spoke of The Windmill’s grounds as previously being “a famous dogging site”. <br/><br/>Derek added his understanding that the area had been used for underground bare knuckle boxing fights.<br/><br/>Chris Townsend, 50, a metal wall art sculptor, hoped people would flock to Clarkson’s new pub. <br/><br/>He said: “It potentially could be really positive for the area as The Windmill had been struggling for years.”<br/><br/>He added: “I have a showroom so people waiting around could be brilliant.” <br/><br/>Chris said the former Top Gear presenter’s plans for the pub sounded promising. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>Chris said: “All that I have heard in the press sounds good.”<br/><br/>Fiona Dunbar, 50, owner of Cotswold Home Manager, was also supportive of Clarkson’s endeavours. <br/><br/>She said: “If he is taking over a business that is struggling, helping British farmers by stocking their produce and raising awareness of how hard it is for them, then go for it.”<br/><br/>She added: “The Cotswolds is full of traffic anyway.”<br/><br/>Tanya Hunt, 44, who works at the same company, added: “He is brilliant for farming and is trying to help, not annoy.<br/><br/>“He is like marmite, and I love him.”<br/><br/>James, 60, who withheld his surname, also thought the pub’s new ownership would benefit the area. <br/><br/>He said: “It’s obviously good for the village, but I am concerned about how busy it will get.\