LONDON -- Britain's oldest pub may have to change its name, if animal rights group PETA gets its way.
PETA has asked Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, a pub in St Albans which dates back to the 8th century and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest in the country, to change its name to Ye Olde Clever Cocks to "celebrate chickens."
PETA wrote to the pub last week, suggesting the name change "in recognition of society’s growing compassion for animals and in celebration of intelligent, sensitive chickens."
Changing the name of Britain's oldest pub would help celebrate chickens http://t.co/NQilPuBYq5 #CleverCocks pic.twitter.com/fWfzQRAjTD— PETA UK (@PETAUK) May 20, 2015
However, pub landlord Christo Tofalli said he had a responsibility to reflect the venue's history.
“Every time someone comes in to this pub, they are being exposed to a bit of the country’s history and we celebrate the fact that cock fighting was abolished more than 150 years ago," he said. “From the feedback we have received we can see that our customers from wherever they are feel strongly that it’s important to preserve our national identity as well as local history.”
The boozer, which was once used as a pigeon house, hosted cock fights until they were banned in the early 19th century. It's had a variety of names over the years, including The Round House and The Fisherman, but has been affectionately been known as Ye Olde Fighting Cocks since 1872.
Feedback on PETA's website ranged from "you are all completely bonkers" to "there are more important issues."