Pub Names and Traditional Pub Signs

The continuing trend by breweries, to repackage local public houses by renaming them with names totally unconnected with the locality, causes some links with the area's traditions to be lost forever.

I believe the current Minister for Culture is looking at bringing in legislation to preserve the traditional names, but until then we have to live with the changes. Either Listed status for signs and associated names is required, or a requirement to seek planning permission, with the assumption being that there will be NO change unless compelling resons are put forward

Recent losses include;

The Fox and Hounds - Leatherhead Road - this pub was a traditional meeting place of the local hunt, hence the name. In 1999 a brewery renamed it the totally random "Shy Horse". The pub always had a traditional scene on its pub signs and now has a cartoon-like sign of a horse looking coy.

The Port of Call - Cox Lane - this pub survived one renaming when after local protests, the new name of "The Picked Newt" was given a small sign and the traditional name of The Port of Call put back in pride of place. Sadly in 2002 it was refurbished and renamed again - this time as "The Maverick" - goodness knows why!

The half a million pound refurbishment of the Blackamoor, or more correctly The Blackamoor's Head, on Moor Lane was completed in 2002 without Arena Pubs finding it necessary to break with tradition and rename the pub - so the local landmark of the Blackamoor remains, smarter, less traditional, and without its famous sign, but at least the name remains. It is a shame other breweries cannot follow Arena's lead in this.

The Bonesgate lost its famous historic sign when refurbished in 2002 and now has a brightly illuminated orange sign similar to all those in the pub chain, and with no link with the local area.

The 2003 refurbishment of the North Star has me waiting anxiously to see if we will lose its sign

Please use your "Back" button to return to previous page