Kidd, who has run the Half Moon at Kirdford near Billingshurst since 2017, took to social media on Monday (20 October) to respond to an article published in the Daily Telegraph on Friday (17 October).
The feature, written by journalist Anna Tyzach, examined Kidd’s move into hospitality and the challenges she has encountered since taking on the business.
It discussed incidents of staff abuse, which led to the pub closing for three days last month so the team could recuperate.
Tyzach said Kidd’s “gastropub dream” had turned “sour” following complaints about food, negative TripAdvisor reviews and reports of rude staff.
However, after speaking to locals within the community, the article also acknowledged opinions of the Half Moon, which holds two AA Rosettes and has previously featured in the Top 50 Gastropubs list, were more positive.
Incredibly sad
In her social media post, Kidd described the report as a “pointless piece of journalism” and expressed disappointment the focus was on negativity rather than the wider challenges facing pubs.
She wrote on Facebook: “Watching the sunrise with my boy Dave in our special place — feeling very blessed to have this escape from the madness.
“Then to open up the Daily Telegraph and see a journalist trying to tear down our pub in a pointless piece of journalism about a nothing story… it makes me feel incredibly sad.
“A pub that’s been built on nothing but love, passion, and a lot of hard work (and money!) just to keep the doors open — with an amazing team working their fingers to the bone every single day.
“Of course, we can’t please everyone. But for a national newspaper to focus solely on the negative — and to give that a full page — really makes you wonder.”
Crazy times
The former Top Gear host added the hospitality industry needed support, not criticism, with cost pressures hitting pubs from every angle.
“Right now, we should be helping hospitality, not hurting it,” she said. “We should be championing all the brilliant landlords and landladies fighting every day to keep the great British pub alive — a place that gives you your escape in these crazy times.”
Referencing her family’s media heritage, Kidd continued: “My great-grandfather started the Daily Express, which became the biggest newspaper in the world.
“I think he’d be ashamed to see the Daily Telegraph trying to destroy the very people keeping our heritage and history alive.
“So I have to ask you, Anna Tyzach (the journalist) — does this piece make you happy? In a world already filled with turmoil, why try to tear down something built on love, community, and the simple good of keeping a British pub alive?”
