David Coulthard’s failed pub venture offered to Jeremy Clarkson
Formula 1 legend David Coulthard revealed he once offered his struggling London pub, The Brown Dog, to Jeremy Clarkson for free, but the former Top Gear host declined the opportunity, reports BritPanorama.
Coulthard, a former McLaren racing driver, disclosed during a drive-along chat with Jodie Kidd that his experience in the pub sector did not unfold as he had hoped. “I bought a pub in Barnes which just didn’t work. It was The Brown Dog, and we couldn’t make it work,” he explained.
After the venture failed to generate a profit, Coulthard proposed a creative solution to Clarkson. He suggested giving him the pub entirely, with the stipulation that once it became profitable, Clarkson would share some of the proceeds with him and his business partners. “I said, ‘Jeremy, I’ll give you the pub. It’s yours, title deeds, but if and when you make money, you start cutting us in,'” Coulthard revealed.
Despite the attractive terms, Clarkson turned down the offer, which Coulthard believes was due to logistical challenges. “I think it was just too far from where he lives to make it sensible,” he noted. Clarkson’s focus is primarily on his life in the Cotswolds.
Coulthard also acknowledged the inherent difficulties in operating a pub, which he experienced firsthand. “It’s a difficult business,” he added, pointing out that factors like road closures had impacted The Brown Dog’s viability.
Meanwhile, Clarkson ultimately ventured into the pub business independently, purchasing a different establishment, the Windmill pub, near Burford in Oxfordshire. He transformed it into The Farmer’s Dog, which has reportedly been successful, with bookings filling up rapidly. This venture is conveniently located near his Diddly Squat Farm, showcased in his Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm. Recently, Clarkson shared his prostate cancer diagnosis but confirmed he is now in remission after receiving treatment.
In a world where nostalgia and new beginnings often intertwine, it seems that both Coulthard and Clarkson have taken their own paths in the pub scene — with one finding unexpected success while the other serves as a reminder of the tough realities in the hospitality industry.
