Lyle’s Golden Syrup rebrand upsets Church
Company stands accused of ‘sidelining Christian messaging’ as it drops iconic image of dead lion
THE Anglican Church has attacked Lyle’s Golden Syrup over a rebrand which members say “eradicates” the Christian message in its famous logo.
The company has replaced the image of a dead lion being swarmed by bees with a more modern depiction of the animal’s face and a single bee, in its first rebrand in almost 150 years.
The dark green tin and golden lion packaging is a reference to the story of Samson killing a lion. The original logo includes the biblical quotation: “Out of the strong came forth sweetness”.
It is the world’s oldest unchanged brand packaging, and holds a Guinness World Record, having remained almost identical since 1888.
Lyle’s said the branding, created by the product’s founder, Scottish businessman Abraham Lyle, has been “revitalised for the modern UK family” in a move to “refresh the brand’s legacy”.
However, it has angered some traditional Christians who are calling on the company to rethink the decision saying they feel that there is perhaps no longer “a place for Christians in the UK”.
Sam Margrave, of the General Synod, the Church of England’s legislative body, said: “Bible stories have appealed to families for millennia. There is nothing modern about ditching tradition or sidelining Christian messaging.
“I enjoy Golden Syrup with my pancakes on Shrove Tuesday every year. I am sure the Lyle business doesn’t mind benefiting from sales and Christian branding every Easter, so why do they feel the need to eradicate their connection with their Christian founder’s iconic logo which tells a story that works for every generation?
“Did they ask anyone if they were offended by Christian messages?”
“I hope Lyle will rethink this move. It does lead to the question, is there a place for Christians or Christian messaging in the UK anymore?”
Gerald Mason, senior vice president of Tate & Lyle Sugars, apologised for the upset caused. “We are very proud of the history and biblical link to our Lyle’s tin and have absolutely no intention to change it in any way,” he said.
“Religion played absolutely no part in our decision to try something different on our syrup bottles – a product format where we regularly use different approaches to our brands.
“It makes me sad that we might have unwittingly upset people today, and I want to apologise for that. But please be assured the story of Samson and the tin isn’t going anywhere,” he added.