Spirit blasted over pub image change

Managed operator Spirit Group has found itself in a major row after making changes to one of the best-known pubs in Leeds city centre in a bid to attract new "up-market" customers.

Spirit has ditched the long-standing daily roasts and steamed puddings at the 284-year-old Whitelocks to attract a more up-market "nachos, pasta and Pinot Grigio" customer.

The menu changes were accompanied by a staff briefing by Spirit who wheeled out two fictitious customers, "Mick and Ruth" as role models for the new type of clientele it wished to attract.

Although Mick enjoyed cask ale, his partner Ruth was profiled as a nachos, pasta and Pinot Grigio lover.

Critics rounded on Spirit for meddling with one of Leeds' most cherished institutions.

The changes led to banner headlines in the Yorkshire Evening Post and a special phone-in on BBC Radio Leeds, where customers went on air to voice their anger.

Kevin Grady, director of Leeds Civic Trust, said he was "absolutely horrified" by the changes.

"If Spirit think the pub is under-performing, there is plenty of marketing help it can get from the council and other organisations without resorting to these gimmicks," he said.

Vice-chairman of the Leeds branch of Camra, Adrian Rankin, said: "We are losing traditional pubs left right and centre and we should keep superb pubs like this as long as we can."

Spirit defended the changes by saying that traditional food was still available, including roasts on Sundays.

It said the traditional restaurant and waitress service was being retained.

"Spirit has local pubs at the heart of our estate and Whitelocks will continue to serve great food and ale in a welcoming atmosphere," said a spokesman.

Whitelocks, a listed building located through a maze of back streets off Briggate, was taken over by Spirit nine months ago, when the company purchased Scottish & Newcastle's managed pub estate.