Jeremy Clarkson's Farm-Fest has seen traders pack up and leave the festival early, with one calling it the "worst day's trading ever." Over the bank holiday weekend, 400 stall owners set up across 300 acres at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. A staggering 20,000 attended the festival on Saturday, with an estimated 55,000 people visiting the site across the full three-day weekend.
Major Music Acts and Celebrity Appearances
The festival attracted major music talent, including Alex James from Blur, 10cc, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and a DJ set by Groove Armada. Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper were also seen mingling with the crowds.
Disappointment Among Stall Holders
However, some stall holders reported disappointing experiences, with traders taking to social media to share their brief time at the festival. Korrine Pallas, owner of pet product firm Phoenix Equestrian and Pet Supplies, said Friday was "the worst day's trading we have ever had." In a TikTok video, she added: "It has been darn right awful at Farm-Fest. When I say it's not worth getting out of bed for, it's an understatement. It has been horrific, and I know everyone else is feeling the same and is in the same boat as us."
In a follow-up video, she said: "It has been catastrophic for us, and when you are already a small family business in hard times it is heart-wrenching." Another trader, Emma, co-founder of pet brand Pops and Coco, said: "There have been a lot of traders who have gone home – lots of traders left last night, particularly dog traders. I would say 90 per cent of traders across the whole showground, whatever they are selling, have either made a loss and they haven't made their costs back or they are only just making some money now."
Festival Organisers Respond
Speaking to the MailOnline, a spokesperson for Jeremy Clarkson's Great British Farm-Fest said: "We have been working closely with traders at The Great British Farm-Fest to provide support during our inaugural weekend. 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."
