Regulars at a pub called ‘Shoulder of Mutton’ have been left stunned after the name was dropped – partly to help attract more vegans.
The city centre pub in York had boasted the name for more than half a century but was recently renamed the Heworth Inn when a new landlady took over.
She has created a new menu with a third of all dishes being vegetarian or vegan in a bid to breathe new life back into the pub, and it has won decent TripAdvisor reviews.
The Shoulder of Mutton in York was renamed the Heworth Inn when a new landlady took over
Matt Robinson, 33, manager of the Heworth Inn – formally known as the Shoulder of Mutton
The name change has attracted some criticism – but the pub’s new menu has been praised
But the name change has attracted criticism online. Rupertbehr wrote: ‘FFS… Grow up! Tradition itself will soon be outlawed if these individuals are allowed to continue.’
Aptopping added: ‘Shame something like the name of a traditional pub has to change just because somebody doesn’t agree with it.
‘There’s a lot if things I don’t agree with but won’t get changed, so things like a name of a pub with a non-discriminatory name should be left alone. You don’t agree with the name of a pub then don’t go in or take it over.’
However, landlady Leah Stannard today hit back at the critics – saying the reasons for the name change of the building, which dates back to the 1800s, are three-fold.
Facebook users have been having their say about the pub change – with some unimpressed
She said she appreciated the concerns, but ‘when trying to market a business to a tourist hotel market, it has been shown that the name the Shoulder of Mutton isn’t perceived particularly well’.
Mr Robinson, pictured at the pub, which had boasted the name for more than 50 years
Ms Stannard said: ‘Also, as we are going to have a really keen focus on vegetarian and vegan cuisine, we think it is a tasteful, sympathetic and reasonable decision.
‘We want to have an excellent vegetarian and vegan offering, so found the name slightly compromising of the idea.’
Another reason for the name change is down to owners applying to become a licensed wedding venue in 2019, as well as a community local and eatery.
‘We imagined that many brides may not want the invites for their big day to be at a place called the “Shoulder of Mutton”,’ added Stannard.
‘We have taken into account the area’s and the building’s heritage and have consulted various conservation bodies in the area and received warm feedback and support for the new name.’
Dominika Piasecka, of The Vegan Society, claimed the change signalled a ‘positive direction, as eating animals is increasingly becoming an outdated practice’.
The owners also changed the name as the aim to become a licensed wedding venue in 2019
The pub in York city centre, formerly known as the Shoulder of Mutton, is pictured in the 1930s
Another photograph of the pub in the 1930s. The building dates back to the 19th century
She said: ‘We’ve heard of a couple of businesses going out of their way to exclude or annoy vegans, so it’s nice to see the opposite happen for once.
‘The number of vegans in Britain has quadrupled in the last four years and many businesses are taking catering for them seriously, with plant-based food being inclusive not just of vegans but everyone else as well.’
John Soonaye, of the Vegetarian Society, added: ‘Focusing on a stronger vegetarian and vegan menu is a brilliant idea for establishments like The Heworth Inn.
‘There will be differing opinions on the name change of The Heworth Inn, but if the intention is to highlight a more forward-thinking approach to vegetarian and vegan food, that’s a great thing.’