A pub in Bury St Edmunds could be renamed after a town abolitionist who sought to end slavery as a public vote is launched.
The town's pubs and brewing giant Greene King is seeking new names for four of its pubs - including two tenanted ones in Suffolk - because of their racist connotations.
It has now come up with a shortlist for the Black Boy pubs in Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, with the winner chosen by public vote.
The public will get to choose from four names for the Bury St Edmunds pub - The Abbot, The Saint Edmund, The Thomas Clarkson and The West Gate.
And there is a choice of three for the Sudbury pub - The Coach & Horses, The Lady Elizabeth and The Market Inn.
All of the names relate to the histories of the two towns. Thomas Clarkson lived in Bury St Edmunds during the early 1800s and a blue plaque now marks his home in St Mary’s Square. He worked with William Wilberforce to end slavery.
Lady Elizabeth de Burgh helped fund the creation of Market Hill in Sudbury in the 14th century where the pub and hotel sits.
The shortlists were decided after consulting with pub tenants Katie Martin, in Sudbury, and Mark Eames, in Bury St Edmunds, Greene King said.
Greene King Pub Partners managing director Wayne Shurvinton said there had been no shortage of options for names, as both towns had rich histories.
"We feel the shortlisted names reflect both of the pubs’ heritage but also stand them in good stead for the future so that when they reopen after the current lockdown, they can continue proudly serving customers for years to come," he said.
To vote for a name for the Sudbury pub visit here or for Bury St Edmunds click here
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