Jeremy Clarkson's 'wants pub to champion British farming' and 'not to create a party town' in the Cotswolds

Jeremy Clarkson plans to run a pub to champion British farming in the Cotswolds and not “create a party town”. That’s the view of councillors in Bourton-on-the-Water who have been in discussions with Hawkstone Brewery over their plans for the site.

Residents had raised concerns over proposals for a brewery which is off Fosseway and close to the picturesque Cotswold village. Earlier this year Cotswold District Council approved a new premises licence for the Coach and Horses which is just over the road from Hawkstone Brewery.

The pub, which is owned by The Stonegate Group and has been linked to Mr Clarkson, was granted a licence to sell alcohol from 11am to 11pm seven days a week.

READ MORE: Anger in Cotswold village as sewage was pumped into river for 2,000 hours last year

MORE NEWS: Greggs to open at Cotswold petrol station in Bourton-on-the-Water

The licence also allows for live music to be allowed outside until 9pm. All windows and doors are to be closed when live and or recorded music is taking place.

Stonegate representatives told the licensing meeting in February that they want the pub to reopen with a tenant. “It’s a tenanted pub," their agent said.

"So we will let the pub to a tenant at some point. The precise identity of that tenant is unknown. It is being marketed on Stonegate’s website.

“It would have a really good food offer to encourage people to visit. There would have to be significant investment."

The pub is understood to need an investment of about £750,000 as it is in a poor state “with a hole in the roof”.

Mr Clarkson is said to be interested in the site and villagers say he was spotted with a film crew in the car park of the grade II-listed inn earlier this year. In March he is understood to have visited Gloucestershire County Council to discuss highways concerns with the site.

The 18th Century pub is just across the road from Hawkstone Brewery on the other side of the A429 Stow Road. But there are concerns there would be a huge increase in traffic, if Mr Clarkson were to take over the pub.

It is understood discussions have taken place with County Highways about rearranging the access to the pub so that its entrance is further away from the access to Hawkstone Brewery.

Initial plans for events across the road at Hawkstone Brewery have been withdrawn after they sparked concerns among villagers. Councillor Len Wilkins (C, Bourton Vale) said that particular licensing application was for a capacity of 4,000 people at the site.

“You can only get there by car,” he said. “The car park would have been a nightmare.

“You could be looking at 1,000 cars on the Fosse just trying to get there. "There is also concern about the car park at the Coach and Horses not being big enough.”

Councillor Jon Wareing (LD, Bourton Village) said there had been complaints from residents regarding music and stand up comedy events at Hawkstone Brewery. But he says the brewery have been great in working with the community to address their concerns.

“I as district councillor was informed by residents who were upset," he said. “I met one of the shareholders in the company and explained the situation and asked them if they wanted to be known as a bad neighbour.

"They said absolutely not. The licence extension application had really set a hare running.

"Looking to have events for 4,000 people… people would be thinking you are holding Glastonbury next.”

That is absolutely not the intention of the people who run Hawkstone Brewery, Cllr Wareing said.

“In fairness, they’ve been brilliant,” he said. “They want to work with residents.

“They want to make sure they understand what they are doing - they don’t want events that big. They are looking at measures to mitigate noise impact. Not opening super late.

“They have been really constructive. Their intention is not to be a party town.

“[Clarkson’s] very much on a mission to promote British farming. Using local produce is a theme of what they want to do - hence the stake in the brewery. And the desire to also open a pub somewhere.”

However, plans for the Coach and Horses are understood to be on hold until highways concerns are surmounted.

“We already have a problem with the Fosse on a busy day,” Cllr Wareing said. “Can you imagine if people on Amazon hear Clarkson’s got a pub?”

Hawkstone Brewery have been approached to comment on their plans to expand the site.