PETA UK urges M&B to reopen pub with ‘animal-friendly’ name
Following the closure of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire, the animal rights organisation penned a letter to M&B CEO Phil Urban urging the company to consider a less violent name for the site and a plant-based menu.
The letter, signed by PETA UK director of vegan corporate projects Dawn Carr, stated: “Changing the pub’s name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks, or reverting to the property’s name from 1756, the Three Pigeons (more wonderful birds!), would encourage people to rethink the way we treat chickens.
“And reopening with an all-vegan menu would be a more inclusive, kinder and environmentally friendly way to see the pub into the next 1,000 years.”
Cheeky chooks and happy hens
Other suggestions for a new name for the pub included the Cheery Chooks or the Happy Hens.
The letter also claimed the demand for vegan food is “booming” and should M&B agree to change the name and menus of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, PETA UK would supply the first month’s worth of vegan chicken.
Carr added: “We know this is a difficult time for the hospitality industry, and to help, if Mitchells & Butlers agrees to turn the pub into an all-vegan establishment with a fresh, animal-friendly name, the first month’s supply of vegan chicken will be on us.”
Licensee Christo Tofalli cited escalating business rates and taxation as the reasons behind the business being put into administration and closure of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks earlier this month.
In a Facebook post, Tofalli said: “Along with my team, I have tried everything to keep the pub going.
More than just a business
“However, the past two years have been unprecedented for the hospitality industry and have defeated all of us who have been trying our hardest to ensure this multi-award-winning pub could continue trading into the future.
“It goes without saying I am heartbroken: this pub has been so much more than just a business to me, and I feel honoured to have played even a small part in its history.”
The Morning Advertiser contacted Mitchells & Butlers for comment but had not received one at the time of publication.
