Drinkers invited to give Middleton pub new name

Joseph Holt Brewery invites members of the public to choose the name for their newest pub– Thornberries in Alkrington

Manchester-based brewery Joseph Holt is inviting residents to suggest a new name for a pub in Alkrington that it has recently bought.

The purchase and subsequent refurbishment of Thornberries on Kirkway will cost close to £1.5m. It’s envisaged that the pub will relaunch around February of next year following refurbishment in January to mark Joseph Holt's 175th anniversary.

Mark Norbury, director of operations for Joseph Holt, said: “We really wanted our customers to feel a part of our plans to rejuvenate this lovely community pub. Which is why we're holding a naming competition – we really want suggestions for a name which reflects.”

Joseph Holt has been in the same family for six generations and owns 127 pubs across the North West.

In taking over Thornberries, Richard Kershaw, chief executive of Joseph Holt and great great grandson of its eponymous founder, says the existing pub already has all the hallmarks of a Joseph Holt venue.

He said: “Thornberries is already much more than just a place to have a drink or something to eat. It’s a place for charity events, social groups and other community gatherings – all the things which mark out our pubs as places which are central to the local areas they serve. But at the centre of this will be a pub which serves award winning ales, delicious food and which is a key part of the community – which is why we want our customers to give the pub a new name to mark its new beginning.”

The competition runs until the end of February. Entries can be either made in the pub itself, online or through the pub's social media page. The winner of the competition will have full access to a VIP area on the opening night.

The idea of the pub sign came to Britain at the time of the Roman invasion. Wine bars in ancient Rome hung bunches of vine leaves outside as trading signs. But when the Romans came here, with no vines available, bushes were used to mark out the inns (leading to popular name the Bull and Bush).

In 1393, during the reign of King Richard II, inns were first ordered to hang a sign outside to make them easily visible. In fact many popular names stem from royal origins. The most common pub name in the UK is the Red Lion which is used at over 500 venues, including three Joseph Holt pubs - in Irlam, St Helen`s and Prestwich. It's thought to originates from the time of James I and VI of Scotland who came to the throne in 1603. James ordered that the heraldic red lion of Scotland be displayed on all buildings of importance – including pubs.

Richard Kershaw added: “Joseph Holt is a family business and as such, we are so aware of our history and of the role we play in the communities where we operate. We plan to carry on this tradition at Thornberries and that`s why we aren`t rushing into any changes before talking to customers. We are delighted that this lovely pub is now a part of the Joseph Holt family.”