Colston Arms temporarily renamed ‘Ye olde Pubby Mcdrunkface’

Louie Bell -

By Louie Bell, News Investigations Editor

The pub is asking for name suggestions after deciding to cut associations with slave trader Edward Colston.

The Colston Arms, a Bristol pub, has temporarily taken the name of Ye Olde Pubby McDrunkface after deciding it no longer wanted to be associated with 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston.

Located on St. Michael’s Hill, the pub hung a large banner to hide its previous name and placed a notice board outside reading: ‘We are listening. Black Lives Matter’.

The local favourite on St. Michael's Hill has opened suggestions for renaming / Martin Booth

Renowned as a favourite amongst locals, Ye Olde Pubby McDrunkface describes itself as, ‘A traditional pub with modern attitudes’.

The banner indicates that the new name is temporary, with: ‘Suggestions Welcome (Obviously.)’

The name finds its inspiration from an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle named ‘Boaty McBoatface’ by a public poll conducted by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in 2016.

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Several Twitter users have already begun suggesting names for the pub, including ‘The Drowned Statue’, ‘The Statue and Harbour’ and ‘The Bailey Arms’ after Guy Bailey, one of the influential leaders of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott.

The name change comes in light of the removal of a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol City Centre, and the removal of Colston Hall lettering following worldwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Soon after, The University of Bristol pledged to review the naming of buildings including the Wills Memorial Building, Wills Hall and Colston Street accommodation.

Featured image: Martin Booth

Do you have any suggestions to rename The Colston Arms? Let us know in the comments!