Black Boy pub WILL be renamed over 'racist connotations'

Greene King and the pub operating company Barons Pub Company announced plans to change the name of the Black Boy pub in Shinfield in January, over the pub’s name being deemed racially insensitive.

After a public poll, it was announced that the pub would be renamed the Shinfield Arms.

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But the companies had to apply for advertising consent from Wokingham Borough Council to undertake the redesign. The council’s planning department granted their request at the end of May.

Barons Pub Company and Greene King have hailed the decision, and look forward to rebranding work starting.

Clive Price, managing director of Barons Pub Company said:  “We are pleased that the necessary permissions have been approved by the council for the name change at The Black Boy and we are now busy arranging the new signage for The Shinfield Arms.

“We have had a whirlwind few weeks since April 12 when lockdown was lifted and there has certainly been no shortage of support from our local customers, who have returned to the pub in big numbers.

“We are sure the name change will continue to be a lively topic for debate and we have certainly heard a wide range of views on the subject, the vast majority of which have been very supportive.”

A spokesman for Greene King, the company which owns the pub, said: “We’re grateful to the committee for granting planning permission and look forward to completing the change of name from The Black Boy to the Shinfield Arms shortly.

“At the start of this process, it was really important to us that we involved local people in choosing a new and inclusive name.

“With the Shinfield Arms winning more than 50 per cent of the 900 public votes cast earlier in the year, we’re pleased to be officially changing the pub’s name to one that reflects its place in the community and also ensures it remains a place where everyone feels welcome.”

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Barons Pubs planned to rename the Black Boy when they took over as operators in 2017. At the time, it was suggested that the pub be renamed the Shinfield Arms. However, the planned rename was canned after a public backlash on Facebook.

During the public vote, the Shinfield Arms name beat out alternative names ‘The King’s Rest’ and ‘The Merry Monarch’.

Mr Price said there should be no interruption to trading while the rebrand takes place.

Shinfield falls within Wokingham Borough.

The application for the redesign was approved on Wednesday, May 26.