Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop reopens after Meghan Markle controversy

The former Top Gear host, 62, closed the store as a result of public outrage over comments he made about Meghan Markle.

Reopening on Friday, visitor numbers were visibly down at the farm in Chipping Norton.

A small queue of 14 visitors, mostly from London and the south east, braved the cold temperatures as the shop reopened, a far cry from the massive crowds and tails of cars which flooded the farm last year and regularly annoyed locals.

Clarkson closed the shop following public outrage over his comments about Meghan Markle (Image: SWNS)

While visitor numbers are down, prices are up with a large loaf of sourdough now costing just under £6.

The first customers to pay at the counter this morning spent £134 on just a handful of items.

Ravi Aggarwal, 36, and his partner from London were one of the first people through the doors at the shop when it opened at 9.30am.

He said: "I'm a huge fan of the show, we're just staying at a friend's place just down the road so we thought while we were here we'd come and see the shop since it's their first day back.

"We thought there would be a lot more people actually, we got here really early thinking it'd be really busy - but maybe that will come later.”

Billy White, 32, and his wife Laura, 36, from Essex, added: "When we heard that it was re-opening today, we just had to drop in on our way home.

"I hadn't realised that it had shut because of the Meghan Markle article - he does like getting himself into trouble doesn't he."

There were visibly fewer shoppers than usual (Image: SWNS)

Julie Miller, from Southampton, dropped in on Friday morning as an early 65th birthday treat with her husband.

The pair said that they had no issue with Clarkson's comments and the closure, saying that the star 'knew what he was saying'.

She said: "I'd be happier if Clarkson was here, but it's still been nice to visit. We've got some mementos; some beer, a t-shirt, and a potato too.

"You have to get a potato before you get a bag, so it was a good investment.

"I have no issue with anything Clarkson wrote, he knows what he is saying and you cant stop him writing that - I certainly can't.

"He just says what he thinks most of the time and he often says what is in my head anyway, so I'm not bothered that he wrote it - especially as he's apologized."