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PETA calls for UK’s ‘oldest pub’ to be re-named and serve all-vegan menu
Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has called for Ye Olde Fighting Cocks to be re-named and serve only vegan food, just days after it was announced the UK’s ‘oldest pub’ may have to close its doors for good.
It’s been a turbulent few days in the incredibly long life of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, which lays claim to being the oldest pub in the United Kingdom.
The pub is believed to be 1,229 years old, but last week its now-former landlord said that his company had gone into administration.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks LTD had been struggling to turn a profit for several years due to tax hikes and rising costs, he said, and the “unprecedented” trading conditions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic had proved “devastating” to his business.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce that today, after a sustained period of extremely challenging trading conditions, YOFC Ltd has gone into administration.” Christo Tofalli said in a statement.
As the pub’s parent company begins its search for a new landlord, PETA has urged the venue to change its name as part of a “21st-century revamp”, per news reports.
The Ye Olde Fighting Cocks name “calls to mind the violence and cruelty of a hideous blood sport that has been outlawed in the UK for more than a century,” the animal rights group said.
PETA revealed that it had sent a letter to the CEO of parent company Mitchells & Butlers, urging the business to adopt a friendlier name such as Ye Olde Clever Cocks – a nod to our modern-day understanding of the animals.
They also suggested putting in place an all-vegan menu stating that such a move would be ” more inclusive, kinder, and environmentally friendly”.
However, not everyone seems enthused by the proposals.
On a local Facebook page, one commenter wrote, “As an eco aware animal loving human, there’s no way they should change the name.”
A second person added, “Bonkers. Why is it even any of their business.”
What do you think? Would a vegan re-brand be a smart move, or should the venue keep its historical name, which is believed to date back to the 19th century?
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