Council planners will not stand in the way of plans to change the name of a Linlithgow pub over racism fears.
Campaigners have vehemently opposed re-naming the Black Bitch boozer in the West Lothian town
Owners Greene King claims the name has racist connotations despite it paying homage to a legendary dog.
The Scottish Daily Express reported the pub’s name has been changed to The Willow Tree. And council planners have now paved the way for the change of the sign on the C-listed building.
A report to West Lothian Council says there is no reason to object to the change in signage. It adds: “The replacement design and impact on the Category C listed building is acceptable. It is a matter for the owner whether to implement the signage.”
Over 11,000 people signed a petition to keep the name, with support coming from all over the world. Linlithgow native and former SNP First Minister Alex Salmond also spoke out against the name change.
Councillors, many of whom opposed the name change, could still block the sign change at committee. But with no planning reasons set out to object, it seems likely the move will take place.
The Black Bitch name comes from the legend of a law-breaker who was chained up to an oak tree outside the town and left to starve, only for his loyal black greyhound to bring him food. The dog was eventually caught and chained alongside its master, although the story became a byword for loyalty and bravery.
A statue commemorating the story also stands in the town. But Greene King reckons the name is “offensive”.
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. The term describes a female canine, rightly called a bitch which is black in colour – nothing offensive, no misogyny involved.
“Greene King have jumped to the wrong conclusions and read something into the name which does not exist.”
Linlithgow Civic Trust added: “According to their managing director, Greene King is on a journey to become a truly anti-racist organisation and has already changed the names of a few of their public houses in England on the grounds that the names have racist connotations. However, there is nothing racist about the name The Black Bitch.
“It accurately describes a female canine with a black coat. We note that Greene appears to have no plans to change the names of their public houses called The Black Horse or The Black Bull.”
We reported that residents got their own back on Greene King at the town’s ancient Marches Day. The procession featured a float with the famous black bitch biting slave-owning 19th century brewer Benjamin King - who founded Greene King -on the backside as he climbs a lamp post to escape.
A Greene King spokesman previously said: “It has never been our intention to cause any upset by changing the name of our pub, but we cannot ignore the messages we have received, including from people living in Linlithgow, who don’t feel comfortable with the existing name written on the front of a pub.”
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