Jeremy Clarkson Warned Charity Boss: ‘Don’t Open a Pub — It’s Relentless!
Jeremy Clarkson Warned Me: “Don’t Do It” — Charity Boss Shares Pub Advice in House of Lords
When Baroness Monckton of Dallington Forest decided to open a pub to support young adults with learning disabilities, she turned to Jeremy Clarkson for advice. His response? A blunt — and very Clarkson-esque — “Don’t do it.”
Speaking in the House of Lords this week, the Conservative peer recounted how the Clarkson’s Farm star shared both warnings and encouragement as she prepared to launch her charity-run pub in Brighton.
A Pub With a Purpose
Baroness Monckton’s charity, Team Domenica, named after her daughter, helps young adults with learning disabilities find meaningful work and independence. In a few weeks, the organization will open its first pub — a project combining hospitality, training, and social inclusion.
“This has required major investment for acquisition, refurbishment, and training facilities,” she told peers, noting that funding came from donations and a significant mortgage. “It will give enhanced training opportunities for our candidates, in addition to our existing cafés and coffee roastery.”
For Monckton, the venture represents more than a business; it’s a platform to create jobs and training for people often excluded from mainstream employment. But even with noble intentions, running a pub comes with relentless challenges — something Clarkson knows firsthand.
Clarkson’s Cautionary Email
Jeremy Clarkson, known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and his hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, recently opened The Farmer’s Dog, a pub in Oxfordshire linked to his Diddly Squat brand. When Monckton asked him for advice, his reply was as honest as it was humorous.
“When you step into a pub that you are running,” Clarkson wrote, “you immediately notice the broken light bulb, the wonky loo roll dispenser, and the crooked picture.
“As there’s no money in hospitality these days, you can’t afford to get someone in to fix it — you must do it yourself. Then, while you’re doing it, a food allergy enthusiast will claim they saw a potato that’s made them go blind.”
He didn’t stop there. “The guy you employ to clean the lavatories after closing will phone in sick, so you’ll have to do it yourself. It is relentless,” Clarkson warned.
But his note wasn’t entirely discouraging. “There will come a time when everyone sits down after work and has a drink and sausage roll, and suddenly it’ll make sense,” he wrote. “And it’ll especially make sense for you, because you’re doing it for a very good reason.”
Debate Over Britain’s Pub Future
Baroness Monckton’s remarks came during a House of Lords debate on the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill, which aims to make it easier for the Government to temporarily extend pub opening hours during national events — from royal celebrations to major sporting finals.
Introducing the Bill, former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson described pubs as “the beating heart of our communities,” and said the proposed law would make the system “more flexible, responsive, and fit for purpose.”
Currently, any nationwide extension must be approved by Parliament — a process that can take weeks. The Bill would allow ministers to act quickly when events of national significance occur.
Lord Watson cited the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final as a missed opportunity: thousands of venues couldn’t open early for the Lionesses’ historic match because there wasn’t enough time for parliamentary approval.
“This Bill removes red tape, saves businesses money, and ensures that we can respond in real time to moments that bring the nation together,” Watson said.
A Shared Love of the Great British Pub
The cross-party debate highlighted the deep cultural and economic role pubs play across Britain. For some, like Clarkson, they are a source of both pride and pain — a labor of love that demands constant care. For others, like Monckton, they represent hope, community, and opportunity.
In the end, Clarkson’s advice — “Don’t do it” — was less a warning and more a dose of realism from someone who’s been through the grinder. As Baroness Monckton put it, she’ll take on the challenge anyway — armed with determination, a sense of humor, and perhaps, a spare light bulb or two.
