A real ale campaigner is urging a company to ditch a "shocking" new name for a city pub.
In May, social enterprise and craft brewery Tap Social Movement pulled out of running The White House in Abingdon Road after three years, handing over to another independent Oxford-based operator, Dodo Pub Co, which has leased it from Brasenose College.
The pub closed on June 16 and will remain closed until early September for refurbishment work.
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While the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) welcomes the takeover, its members have ridiculed Dodo's proposal to call the pub The Slow & Steady, named after its architect Henry Hare.
Oxford CAMRA spokesman Dave Richardson last week described the proposed name as a "shocker" and one of the worst pub renamings he had come across.
Now he is urging Dodo Pub Co to have a re-think, following an Oxford Mail poll in which 62 per cent of more than 500 readers said they were not fans of the new name.
(Image: Tap Social Movement) Mr Richardson added: "I'm not surprised the majority of readers were not in favour of the new name.
"A lot of people value tradition in a pub and yes there is a connection with the architect Henry Hare but not many people will be aware of that.
"The pub was called The Folly Bridge Inn for a while and I think The Folly would be a much better name because that works well as the location is quite close to Folly Bridge."
Mr Richardson said CAMRA welcomed Dodo taking over the pub from Tap Social Movement.
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He added: "We welcome a new independent pub operator taking over this pub and we wish them all the best."
Dodo, which manages three Oxford pubs and eight overall in the region, has confirmed its commitment to pursuing Tap Social’s ethos of social inclusion and giving employment opportunities to those who need them most, including ex-offenders.
(Image: Dave Richardson) Staff who prefer to remain at the White House, rather than move to one of Tap Social’s other venues, will be able to do so, so all jobs are protected during the transition.
Oxford-based Leo Johnson and Chris Manners opened their first pub The Rusty Bicycle in east Oxford in 2009 after returning from university.
Mr Johnson said last month: “We’re excited to launch our fourth Oxford site in a new part of town.
"In standard Dodo style, you can expect a full interior and exterior revamp, as well as a quirky name change that’ll nod to the history of the building and surrounding area.
"We’re looking forward to continuing where Tap Social left off; creating an awesome neighbourhood pub with a strong sense of community."
Henry Hare also designed the town hall in Oxford in 1892, and in Henley, Harrogate and Crewe.
He also designed several public libraries and hospitals.
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About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
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