Why Food Safety Matters in Pubs: A Lesson from Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘Farmer’s Dog’

Running a pub is no easy feat—even if you’re Jeremy Clarkson. His recent reflections on launching The Farmer’s Dog on his hit Amazon Prime TV show Clarkson’s Farm offers a rare and refreshingly honest insight into the real challenges of hospitality. While his experience hasn’t been smooth sailing, his openness provides a valuable reminder of just how essential strong food safety practices are—especially in today’s environment where allergens and hygiene are under increasing scrutiny.

Running a pub today is more than just serving pints and roasts. It’s a balancing act of hospitality and responsibility—especially when it comes to food safety.

 

Jeremy Clarkson has been upfront about the hurdles he faced: no gas, leaking roofs, unreliable lighting, and limited water all on his first opening weekend. These aren’t just operational inconveniences—they’re significant barriers to safe, compliant service.

But rather than gloss over these issues, Clarkson has been transparent about every challenge—from flooded toilets to unexpected walkouts—and in doing so, he’s helped shine a light on what really matters in hospitality: preparation, safety, and care for both customers and staff.

 

Allergens: A Life-or-Death Responsibility

Allergen safety is just as important as general hygiene. Around 2 million people in the UK live with diagnosed food allergies, and pub operators must treat this as a critical safety obligation.

A chaotic kitchen or an untrained team increases the risk of accidental cross-contamination or incorrect allergen labelling—mistakes that could cause severe allergic reactions or even fatalities. Without clear protocols and reliable infrastructure, it becomes impossible to guarantee allergen-safe meals.

Clarkson's admission that food service was barely functioning and toilets were cleaned by hazmat teams reflects a level of disorganisation that would make allergen management extremely difficult, if not impossible. Allergen safety relies on precision, communication, and training—all of which suffer when operations are rushed or understaffed.

 

One of the most important takeaways from Clarkson’s experience is how staff wellbeing is intrinsically linked to food safety. When the team is overwhelmed, under-supported or working in compromised conditions, safety slips through the cracks.

By highlighting how difficult it was to retain staff and manage basic amenities in the first few days, Clarkson indirectly underscores the importance of creating a safe, well-equipped working environment—something that benefits both employees and customers alike.

 

Compliance Saves More Than Just Money

Perhaps the most admirable part of Jeremy Clarkson’s story is his transparency. He hasn’t pretended it’s been easy. He’s openly called the pub a “total disaster” and admitted he’s losing money every day it operates. But beyond the financial stress, these kinds of operational failings can put customers at serious risk and open the door to legal consequences.

From the Food Safety Act 1990 to Natasha’s Law, the UK’s food safety regulations are designed to protect customers—and ignoring them can result in fines, serious harm to customers, business closure, and reputational damage that’s hard to repair.

Reputation Rests on Trust

Even with celebrity backing, customers won’t return to a pub where they don’t feel safe—especially if they have dietary needs or allergies. Food safety isn’t just about avoiding fines; it’s about building trust and loyalty. When guests know your food is prepared safely, with allergens clearly communicated and cross-contact controlled, they’re more likely to recommend and return.

Clarkson’s candid reflections on his pub experience offer a clear takeaway: food safety is non-negotiable. Especially in a world where allergies are on the rise, proper systems, staff training, and legal compliance must be at the core of any pub’s operations.

At Serve Legal, we work with hospitality businesses to support exactly that—helping pubs deliver excellent, compliant, and most importantly, allergen safe customer experiences every time. Our partnership with Anaphylaxis UK helps us to do exactly that. For more information get in touch with our team.