Government to rule on historic pub name battle
PLANS to rename a historic Scots pub are set to be decided by the Scottish Government.
The 350-year-old Black Bitch in Linlithgow, West Lothian, will be renamed by brewer Greene King over fears it could be seen as racist.
The pub is to be rebranded The Willow Tree following a public consultation in a long-running wrangle.
Outraged campaigners hope to reverse the plans. More than 500 objections had been submitted and a petition to stop the move gathered more than 11,000 names.
But Greene King has turned to the Government to have the change rubberstamped after West Lothian Council deferred a planning decision.
Greene King claims councillors hope to encourage heritage bosses to include the pub name in a protected listing to avoid the alteration.
West Lothian planning officials have already recommended listed building and advertising consent be given.
The Black Bitch name references the local legend of a black, female greyhound that features on the town’s heraldic crest after it brought food to its starving owner who was imprisoned on an island on Linlithgow Loch.
An appeal on Greene King’s behalf said: ‘It was made clear to the council’s development management committee both within the officer report and verbally at committee that it is not for the council to control the name of the premises and that there are no planning grounds for either advertisement consent or listed building consent being refused on this basis.’
The West Lothian History and Amenity Society said: ‘The term “Black Bitch” has been associated with the town for over 700 years. Natives of Linlithgow are proud to be known as “Black Bitches”; it is a term of affection with no negative connotations. Greene King have read something into the name which does not exist.’
A reporter will issue a decision in due course.