From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Nicola Jordan, 13 September 2019.
Residents in Wigmore are unimpressed with plans to change the name of Queen's Head Pub.
A change of name at a popular pub has brewed up a storm among locals.
It has been known as the Queen’s Head in Wigmore to generations of
drinkers, but now the new owners want to rebrand it as the "Medway
Arms."
The decision has left a bitter taste with hundreds who frequent the
hostelry, who have now taken to social media to vent their anger.
An online petition called Keep The Queen’s Head Pub as The Queen’s
Head has so far attracted more than 450 signatures.
Queens Head pub (formerly), Maidstone Road, Rainham. Pub being re-furbed
and given a new name. .Picture: Steve Crispe.
The Facebook campaign has been set up by Rebecca Maxwell, a mum who
lives around the corner from the pub in Maidstone Road.
Mrs Maxwell, 48, said: “It is a local landmark and part of Wigmore’s
history.
“It’s been known by that name since the 1930s. I first went there
when I was 18 and I can smell the food being cooked in the kitchen
from my house.
“I’m not anti change as such, but I can’t see the point in changing
a name. To people round here it will always be the Queen’s Head.”
Comments on her page have stirred up quite a froth including a
reference to “Medway” sounding “chavvy” “tacky, cheap, awful”.
Others were incensed that the name change may have been introduced
by managers at the Birmingham-based pub chain Mitchells & Butlers
without consultation or knowledge of the area.
Mum-of-two Belinda Baker, 42, from Parkwood, said: “We used to go
there as kids with the family.
“It will always be known as the Queen’s Head to local people. Just
like Farthing Corner services and not Medway Services and the
Bowater’s roundabout is the same.
“It’s not as if the pub is overlooking the River Medway. We are
losing our identity.
“Medway is made up of separate towns and it should remain that way.”
The pub falls under the Ember Inns name, which is operated by
Mitchells & Butlers.
A statement from Mitchells & Butlers said: “From time to time we
review our estate and take the decision to convert a business to
another of our successful brands. We will be converting the Queen’s
Head Harvester to a brand new Ember Inns pub in February.
“We’re excited to be bringing the renamed Medway Arms Ember Inn to
Gillingham, providing the town with a new look pub where locals will
be able to enjoy real ale and proper pub food. We have chosen the
‘Medway Arms’ name as a reference to the area and to re-introduce
some provenance back into the local pub.
“Harvester fans will be able to find their next nearest restaurant
at the "Running Horse" in Maidstone.”
(Sandling)
Ember Inns has about 150 pubs across the UK and specialises in cask
ales and traditional pub grub.
It has spent the last few months carrying out a massive
refurbishment of the pub. |