New name for Derbyshire pub revealed as part of 'anti-racist stance'

The new name of the pub, was voted for by the public from a shortlist of options.

In January, Greene King announced it would be renaming four of its pubs, three pubs called the Black Boy and the Blacks Head in Wirksworth.

Community groups were consulted to help get a shortlist of options that were then put to public votes, which closed at the end of the day on Wednesday, February 10.

The Blacks Head will now be called The Quarryman, which received 839 out of the 1,923 votes cast.

With limestone quarrying and lead mining playing such a key role in the history and development of Wirksworth it was thought calling the pub The Quarryman would mark this important piece of history for the area.

Other names were The Gilkin with 609 votes and the Market Tavern with 475 votes.

Wayne Shurvinton, Greene King Pub Partners managing director, said: “We’d like to thank the more than 7,000 people who have taken part in these votes and who contributed to our community consultations to help find new names for these four pubs.

“Despite the obscure origins of the pubs’ previous names, from the research we carried out it was clear that there was a perception today that the old names were linked with racism, which is why we knew we had to take this step if we wanted to continue on our journey to become a truly anti-racist organisation.

“Once we took the decision to change the names, we wanted to involve local people in choosing new and inclusive names for these pubs, so they remain at the heart of their communities.

"We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who voted and helped us choose new names that continue to reflect the history and heritage of each pub but also ensure that they are places where everyone can feel welcome.”

The renaming of these four pubs is part of Greene King’s inclusion and diversity strategy to champion equality and diversity within the company and further support people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and a n employee-led group called Unity has also been created.

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