James May co-owns a pub in the tiny idyllic village of Swallowcliffe, near Salisbury in Wiltshire – and, as it’s the only one the location has, he’s facing zero competition.
Yet in spite of that, the former The Grand Tour fave says he’s struggling to make ends meet at The Royal Oak – and so far hasn’t made a profit. The Amazon Prime star has shared footage of the moment he invited Richard Hammond – the co-star he and Jeremy Clarkson worked with on the show – to check out his venue.
As he showed him around, he revealed: “I’ve never taken any money out of this pub. All I’ve done is spend money here.” James, who admitted it had been his local before he invested in it during the coronavirus pandemic, also told his pal that there are “no freebies” and he “pays” for what he consumes.
The drinks menu cheekily makes it clear that James spends money there too. For instance, a playful warning is issued on the red Riebeek Cellars Shiraz wine, quipping that it might not be in stock as James has “bought a few cases for his own personal drinking”.
Meanwhile, James expressed his frustrations with the decor in the pub during Richard Hammond’s visit. There’s one feature that he can’t stand and is desperate to have ripped out – and that’s the imitation wood-burning fireplace.
Express.co.uk enjoyed the effect when we visited, finding it cosy and Christmassy – but James has plans to axe it.
“We did not put that stupid fake fire in and I hate it. We should change it but I haven’t got around to it,” he candidly told his pal.
James also joked that he is not normally “allowed in the kitchen” and is typically “encouraged to leave” by staff when he does make an appearance.
“If you’re actually going to run it yourself, it’s hard work,” he revealed during the Drive Tribe footage.
Then he warned Richard: “It’s not particularly well paid, it’s not particularly healthy, it’s antisocial [and] there’s a risk of becoming fat and an alcoholic.”
Though his pal made an appearance, it’s unlikely that the third person in their Grand Tour trio is likely to visit.
Jeremy has already banned James from his own Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, and even burnt an effigy carrying his likeness on Bonfire Night.
The playful rivalry has gone beyond their TV show, which ended this year, and has been extended to their pubs.
Unsure which you’d prefer? Express.co.uk has reviewed James’ pub here, and Jeremy’s here.
