Jeremy Clarkson's Farm-Fest has been branded a 'shambles' after traders left early, claiming they were not making any money. The three-day festival at Clarkson's 300-acre Diddly Squat farm in Warwickshire was expected to attract 55,000 people over the bank holiday weekend.
Traders were promised big profits and high footfall but were disappointed. Social media star Ben Newman, known as Spud Man, told his 600,000 Instagram followers that while he might make a small profit, others were struggling. Korrine Pallas, owner of Phoenix Equestrian and Pet Supplies, described Friday as 'the worst day's trading we have ever had' in a TikTok video, adding, 'It has been horrific.' She left early, an unprecedented move for her company.
Emma, co-founder of pet brand Pops and Coco, estimated that 90% of traders had 'either made a loss', 'haven't made their costs back', or are 'only just making some money now'. Saddle fitter Julie Masters said her stall was blocked by a large lorry, forcing her to close and leave, leaving her 'thousands of pounds out of pocket' without a refund.
A spokesman for the event said: 'We are surprised that a handful of exhibitors, out of the 400 who attended, left the show within a few hours of the first day without experiencing an event that has attracted over 50,000 visitors.' The festival featured 12 arenas, appearances by Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper, and performances by Alex James, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Groove Armada. Adult tickets cost £35 for half-day or £60 for full day.
