Jodie Kidd shutters The Half Moon pub after abusive incidents at West Sussex venue

Jodie Kidd has temporarily closed The Half Moon, the 15th-century village pub she owns in Kirdford, West Sussex, after a string of incidents in which staff were abused by customers. The decision, announced on the pub’s Instagram account, follows episodes in which a female employee was grabbed by the arm by an angry diner and another man erupted into a loud meltdown over perceived salt in his dish.

In a post, the pub said staff have faced verbal and physical abuse and stressed that behind The Half Moon is "a team of people who care deeply about what we do. We are human." The Daily Mail later reported on the episodes that prompted the closure, including the arm-grab incident and the salt-related meltdown, as described by locals and workers.

Locals say the 15th-century Grade II-listed pub has become a magnet for celebrity fans and out-of-town visitors drawn by Kidd’s profile and by reviews calling it among the best celebrity-owned pubs in the country. Some residents told The Mail that visitors travel long distances hoping for Michelin-starred quality and are disappointed by the traditional pub fare. One regular said the food and drink are excellent, but "people travel from all over the country expecting it to be like the Fat Duck" and can become loud and rude when disappointed. Others noted that Kidd has never portrayed the pub as anything other than a cosy rural spot with relatively affordable prices.

An insider described the pub’s operation: The Half Moon is a Grade II-listed building that Kidd has run since 2017, with chef and joint owner Gavin Roy focusing on a changing menu and sourcing ingredients locally. Menu examples include Seared trout with rillette and sage carbonara sauce (£28); Tandoori cauliflower with raita (£20); "John Murray" house-aged sirloin with pommes Anna (£34); Pan-roast cod with Roebuck Estate herb tartar (£24); Lamb shepherd’s pie (£29); Homemade lamb burger with a house potato bun (£22); Stuffed chicken breast with mushroom and curry sauce (£24). The pub is closed Monday through Wednesday for evenings and reopens for food Thursday through Sunday, with traditional roasts served on Sundays.

The Half Moon was purchased by Kidd, 46, in 2017 and she can often be seen behind the bar. A resident said the pub remains a valued village asset and that, while some outsiders view it as elitist, many locals praise its warmth and food. Another regular noted that the food is top quality and that the pub remains a cosy, affordable option for locals, even as it attracts visitors from farther afield.

The Instagram post announcing the closure also explained a brief pause in operations: the pub would reopen on Thursday, September 25, at 12 noon, with a note that staff would take time to rest and recharge. The Daily Mail said it had contacted Kidd’s representatives for comment but had not received a reply at the time of reporting.