Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds pub project was meant to be a quirky, countryside success story.
Instead, it sparked a dramatic fallout that had fans fuming and entrepreneurs walking away within days.
Enter Sue and Rachel Hawkins—a seasoned duo in the hospitality world—who were brought in to bring the Farmer’s Dog pub to life.
But things didn’t go quite as planned.
Fans Slam Clarkson’s Pub Helpers as “Snobby and Rude”
Sue and her niece Rachel appeared in the final episodes of Clarkson’s Farm, stepping in to help Jeremy open his newly renovated country pub.
But fans weren’t buying what they were selling.
Social media lit up with criticism, calling the pair “snobby,” “rude,” and even accusing them of “jumping ship” just 48 hours after the grand opening.
Their early exit raised eyebrows. While Rachel cited serious issues with the building—no toilets, gas problems, leaky roofs, and barely functional plumbing—some viewers were quick to blame them for bailing when the pressure kicked in.
A £40K Umbrella Showdown
Among the many clashing points between Clarkson and the pair was the now infamous terrace umbrella drama.
Rachel and Sue suggested installing three enormous heated, lit umbrellas to make the pub’s outdoor space more usable year-round.
Clarkson wasn’t thrilled—especially when the bill reached a staggering £40,000.
But the punchline? Jeremy later posted a photo of the umbrellas installed, admitting they were right after all.
Rachel reposted the pic with a caption that cheekily defended the expense: “Providing a year-round weather solution for 75 guests? Sounds like money well spent.”
These Women Are No Newcomers to Pub Renovation
Don’t be fooled—Sue and Rachel are far from clueless about the pub scene.
They’ve spent years revamping tired establishments across the Cotswolds.
Their most notable success? The Bell Inn, which they bought for £350,000 and transformed with a £200,000 refurbishment into an award-winning hot spot for racehorse owners, jockeys, and trainers.
They eventually sold that pub and an adjoining boutique B&B for a seven-figure sum to pub giant Young’s.
Before that, they also converted a 400-year-old Stratford-upon-Avon dental practice into a hotel.
Bottom line: these women know how to flip a property.
Rachel’s Life Is All Hats, Horses, and High Society
Outside of work, Rachel lives a life most would envy.
The 40-year-old is deeply embedded in the British racing scene, thanks in part to her partner, retired National Hunt jockey Will Kennedy.
She frequently posts photos from high-society events—think Royal Ascot, The Derby, and Cheltenham—always decked out in show-stopping outfits and bespoke hats.
Her love of fashion led her to launch a hat-hire business featuring high-end British millinery, targeting posh events like Henley Regatta and Buckingham Palace garden parties.
It all began as an extension of her personal hat collection—naturally.
From Best-Dressed Winner to Rubbing Elbows with Celebs
Rachel’s style hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2015, her dazzling blue-and-white ensemble at Goodwood Festival won her the “Best Dressed” prize, which came with a luxury trip to Cape Town and a VIP day at the races.
While there, she mingled with cricket star Jonny Bairstow and spotted Ian Botham, Eddie Jordan, and Lester Piggott nearby.
As you might guess, she loved every second of it, saying they were “looked after like royalty.”
Selling a £2.8M Dream House in the Cotswolds—For £10 a Ticket
Rachel recently made headlines again after putting her six-bedroom period home in Gloucestershire up for grabs in a raffle.
Purchased in 2015 for £750,000, the Cotswold-stone home is now valued at £2.8 million.
With tickets costing just £10, one lucky winner will walk away with a beautifully furnished house in one of the UK’s most celebrity-packed regions.
Raffle House, the company handling the draw, is promoting it as a chance to live among stars like David Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres, Kate Moss, and even Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who are reportedly eyeing the area.
A Long History of Flipping, Fixing, and Selling Pubs
Sue and Rachel’s partnership goes way back.
Rachel first started working with her aunt as a teenager in a bistro and later helped run the Fox & Goose in Warwickshire. Together, they’ve flipped at least seven venues.
Sue focuses on design and set-up, while Rachel handles day-to-day operations.
Sue, who once sold T-shirts to tourists in Tenerife before launching her business empire, has always had a flair for the unconventional.
She famously sold a one-bedroom home by including a convertible and a crate of champagne to sweeten the deal.
She used the profits to buy and transform another pub—Bar Humbug.
Her motto? “No fun, no point.”
Sue’s No-Nonsense Attitude Helped Build an Empire
With her roots in Birmingham and early ventures in sales and hospitality, Sue is now known as an award-winning businesswoman who isn’t afraid to take risks.
She’s worked in pubs, bars, and restaurants all over the world, and she’s always believed that if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, it’s not worth it.
She once told Warwickshire Life: “I just enjoy life and I enjoy what I do.
I’ve had to be very determined at times but I never let that stop me from having a laugh.”
No Hard Feelings Between Clarkson and His Former Consultants
Despite the backlash and early exit, it seems things ended on surprisingly good terms between Clarkson and the duo.
Jeremy’s Instagram post about the umbrellas—and Rachel’s witty response—hint at mutual respect behind the scenes.
They might’ve left the Farmer’s Dog pub project early, but Sue and Rachel clearly haven’t lost their shine.
Whether it’s fixing up pubs, curating high-end hats, or raffling off million-pound homes, these women aren’t slowing down any time soon.