Bristol pub with slave trade links reveals new name
For months its been calling itself Ye Olde Pubby McDrunkface
The formally known Colston Arms on St Michael's Hill has revealed its new name, in a bid to distance itself from the now infamous slave trader Edward Colston.
The pub in Kingsdown ditched its original name last year after the statue to Colston in the city centre was famously torn down by protestors.
It had been calling itself Ye Olde Pubby McDrunkface ever since, but has now revealed its new permanent title as The Open Arms, which, depending on your outlook, you may think is rather fitting.
No major announcement has been made to announce the new name.
For now the venue's website remains colstonarms.co.uk and its Facebook page is still titled Colston Arms, but a post on the page detailing its Christmas opening times names the pub The Open Arms and when we called to clarify, staff confirmed the new name is indeed The Open Arms.
The pub is just the latest of more than half a dozen venues and institutions in Bristol to change its branding because of slave trade connections.
Less than three weeks ago Colston's School, which was founded by Edward Colston in 1710, announced it will be choosing a new name next summer.
Colston's Girls School on Gloucester Road renamed itself as Montpelier High in November 2020, while the Dolphin School decided to change its badge as it was based on the Colston Family crest.
Bristol has also seen the Colston Hall music venue become the Bristol Beacon and the Colston tower has become the Beacon Tower.
A trial of four people accused of criminal damage over the toppling of the Colston statue is ongoing at Bristol Crown Court, though it has been adjourned for Christmas.
Proceedings are set to resume on January 4.