James May, 61, has reportedly implemented an all-new measure at his pub, The Royal Oak at Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, after Jeremy Clarkson, 64, opened the doors to his own venue in the Cotswolds.
Clarkson was greeted by thousands of fans last month when he officially opened The Farmer’s Dog for business after purchasing and renovating the derelict pub in the village of Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire.
The decision to buy the pub, which Clarkson claims is hurting him financially day by day, will provide the basis for the fourth season of his hit Amazon Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm.
May, on the other hand, purchased The Royal Oak a decade ago after it lay unoccupied and abandoned for seven long years.
The 61-year-old did so without a TV crew following him and it continues to serve punters food and drink in the Wiltshire village to this day.
However, it’s now been claimed that following Clarkson’s decision to open a pub with a canine-themed moniker, May has decided to take a thinly veiled dig at The Farmer’s Dog by introducing a new menu just for dogs at The Royal Oak.
James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond recently returned to screen in The Grand Tour: One for the Road
PA
An insider has claimed that the decision to introduce the dog-friendly food menu is the latest step in Clarkson and May’s “intense competition” to “want to outdo each other” in their respective quests to own the “most talked-about country pub”.
According to Express.co.uk, The Royal Oak’s canine menu includes a Sunday roast suitable for pooches as well as “bark bangers” and “Bark Brew beer”.
A source told the publication: “While it’s thought that Jeremy was making a joke about the pub’s early reputation as a dogging site when he came up with the name The Farmer’s Dog, James interpreted the theme more literally and responded with an entire dog food menu.
“Some people see James’ pub as the wholesome, more innocent version of Jeremy’s wordplay, with his Paw Star Martini option – non-alcoholic of course – for dogs.
Jeremy Clarkson opened The Farmer’s Dog at the end of August 2024
PA
“It means people can take their pets to the pub with them without worrying they’re being cruel and leaving them out when dining.”
GB News has contacted May’s representatives for comment on the source’s claims.
Clarkson’s pub already differs from May’s as the former Top Gear star has vowed to only use British produce – meaning the likes of coffee, Coca-Cola and even tomato ketchup aren’t available.
The distance between the two pubs is a little over 70 miles, meaning punters have to travel approximately two hours by car between them if they want to compare.
While Clarkson purchased the pub to fulfill a “dream”, help British farmers, and provide content for his Amazon series, May recently explained exactly why he decided to take the plunge.
Speaking to Country and Town House, May delved into his decision as he explained: “I was a bit browbeaten into buying it, but I also realised that if I didn’t there wouldn’t be a single pub within walking distance of our home.
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“Buying it was the only way to ensure there would be.
“I don’t take any money out of it. I take the view that it’s like owning a nice painting or sculpture – you own it for self-gratification.”
Clarkson and May’s friendly rivalry is nothing new given their 22-year working relationship on Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
The pair recently reunited with Richard Hammond for the final time in The Grand Tour: One for the Road as they brought their time together on-screen to a close – leaving fans “weeping” in the process.