Council planners is not going to stand in the way in which of plans to vary the identify of a Linlithgow pub over racism fears.
Campaigners have vehemently opposed re-naming the Black Bitch boozer within the West Lothian city
Homeowners Greene King claims the identify has racist connotations regardless of it paying homage to a legendary canine.
The Scottish Each day Specific reported the pub’s identify has been modified to The Willow Tree. And council planners have now paved the way in which for the change of the signal on the C-listed constructing.
A report back to West Lothian Council says there isn't a motive to object to the change in signage. It provides: “The alternative design and affect on the Class C listed constructing is appropriate. It's a matter for the proprietor whether or not to implement the signage.”
Over 11,000 individuals signed a petition to maintain the identify, with assist coming from everywhere in the world. Linlithgow native and former SNP First Minister Alex Salmond additionally spoke out towards the identify change.
Councillors, lots of whom opposed the identify change, may nonetheless block the signal change at committee. However with no planning causes got down to object, it appears possible the transfer will happen.
The Black Bitch identify comes from the legend of a law-breaker who was chained as much as an oak tree exterior the city and left to starve, just for his loyal black greyhound to deliver him meals. The canine was finally caught and chained alongside its grasp, though the story turned a byword for loyalty and bravado.
A statue commemorating the story additionally stands within the city. However Greene King reckons the identify is “offensive”.
The West Lothian Historical past and Amenity Society mentioned: “The time period ‘Black Bitch’ has been related to the city for over 700 years, natives of Linlithgow are proud to be referred to as ‘Black Bitches’; it's a time period of affection with no unfavorable connotations. The time period describes a feminine canine, rightly known as a bitch which is black in color – nothing offensive, no misogyny concerned.
“Greene King have jumped to the unsuitable conclusions and browse one thing into the identify which doesn't exist.”
Linlithgow Civic Belief added: “In accordance with their managing director, Greene King is on a journey to develop into a very anti-racist organisation and has already modified the names of some of their public homes in England on the grounds that the names have racist connotations. Nevertheless, there's nothing racist concerning the identify The Black Bitch.
“It precisely describes a feminine canine with a black coat. We notice that Greene seems to haven't any plans to vary the names of their public homes known as The Black Horse or The Black Bull.”
We reported that residents acquired their very own again on Greene King on the city’s historical Marches Day. The procession featured a float with the well-known black bitch biting slave-owning nineteenth century brewer Benjamin King - who based Greene King -on the bottom as he climbs a lamp submit to flee.
A Greene King spokesman beforehand mentioned: “It has by no means been our intention to trigger any upset by altering the identify of our pub, however we can not ignore the messages we have now obtained, together with from individuals residing in Linlithgow, who don’t really feel comfy with the prevailing identify written on the entrance of a pub.”
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