Exodus of locals blamed on the 'Clarkson effect'

A SOUGHT-after Cotswolds town is reportedly experiencing an exodus of locals, with some blaming the "Jeremy Clarkson effect".

- By Chris Samuel

The idyllic market town of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, is loved by residents and celebrities alike. But despite its glitzy reputation and picturesque streets, there has been a spike in properties being listed in recent months.

Max Boneham, of Mark David Estate Agents Chipping Norton, said: "We have twice as many properties on the market now as two years ago.

"At the start of this year, it was all right and suddenly it changed. There's lots of 'for sale' signs." The town is also close to Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm, which the former Top Gear presenter took over in 2019.