Jodie Kidd’s pub has temporarily shut after staff claimed they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse in a spate of incidents.
The model, 46, felt the need to close The Half Moon pub in West Sussex for three days after her staff were treated appallingly.
A post on the pub’s Instagram read: ‘We’ve worked hard to create more than just a pub – we’ve built a home.
‘A place for people to come together, enjoy good times, and make memories.
‘While we know we won’t be to everyone’s taste, it saddens us that in recent weeks we as a Team have faced abuse – both verbal and physical.
‘We’d like to remind everyone that behind The Half Moon is a team of people who care deeply about what we do. We are human.’
Jodie Kidd’s pub has temporarily shut after staff claimed they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse
The model, 46, felt the need to close The Half Moon pub in West Sussex for three days after her staff were treated appallingly
Another post informed patrons the pub would open its doors once again on Thursday September 25.
‘As many of you know, the work never truly stops behind the scenes, so taking some time to rest and recharge is essential.
‘We will be closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and will reopen on Thursday 25th September at 12 Noon as normal,’ they wrote.
It is not clear what the reason for the abuse the staff faced was.
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative of Jodie Kidd for comment.
The Half Moon at Kildford is a 15th-century Grade II listed pub. Jodie purchased the venue in 2017.
Tom Parker-Bowles named it as one of the best pubs owned by a celebrity in the UK.
In the Daily Mail, he described it as ‘a proper pub – the sort you’d want to spend a few hours in.
An Instagram post stated: ‘We recognize we may not appeal to everyone, but it’s disheartening that our Team has endured both verbal and physical abuse in recent weeks.’
Another post informed patrons the pub would open its doors once again on Thursday September 25 (Jodie pictured with Vogue Williams outside the pub)
The Half Moon at Kildford is a 15th-century Grade II listed pub. Jodie purchased the venue in 2017
With a history going back to the 16th century, the Half Moon Inn offers everything you expect from a village pub – stone floors, old wooden beams, a cozy fire, a spacious terrace with a kitchen, and a charming beer garden.
Review magazine gave a favorable review of the restaurant, calling it ‘comfortable and relaxed,’ and commended Jodie for being an ‘involved’ owner.
The Half Moon pub’s Google reviews are predominantly positive but some patrons have bemoaned the venue’s prices.
The menu features pan-roast cod at £24, Lamb Shepherd’s pie for £29, a lamb burger priced at £22, and stuffed chicken breast costing £24.
A Sunday lunch is priced at £38 for two courses and £48 for three.
Jodie once acknowledged it was ‘completely inappropriate’ for her to be ‘drinking champagne and smoking cigarettes’ alongside Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell when she was just 16 at the beginning of her modeling career.
The model got her start in fashion as a teenager after being discovered on a beach in Barbados by photographer Terry O’Neil, leading to campaigns with brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Chloe.
Three years after suffering a horrific panic attack during a catwalk at 19 years old, Jodie quit the industry all together, eventually moving from London to her hometown in West Sussex.
As she looked back on her wild days on the catwalk with Kate, 51, and Naomi, 54, Jodie said it was ‘completely different’ compared to now.
Reflecting on her glittering modelling career on Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong, It’s Right podcast, she said: ‘Nowadays it’s completely different.
‘But [when I was modelling] backstage all you had was champagne and it was very glamorous.
‘Big characters from Naomi running and strutting around to the designers to Kate, incredible characters.
‘And then everyone just drinking champagne and smoking cigarettes. I mean, I look back at it and it was very cool, but totally wrong for a 16-year-old girl to be doing that.’
