THE new name of Greene King's Shinfield pub - previously The Black Boy - can now be revealed following a public vote.

In January, pub owners Greene King announced it would be renaming three pubs called the Black Boy and one pub called the Blacks Head, because of the racist connotations of the names.

The pub will now be called The Shinfield Arms - which calls out the pub's location at the heart of the historic village.

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Community groups were consulted to help get a shortlist of options that were then put to public votes, which closed yesterday (February 10)

The Black Boy in Shinfield saw 913 votes cast.

Other options included The King’s Rest, which came second with 225 votes (25 per cent) and The Merry Monarch with 218 votes (24 per cent).

Reading Chronicle: The Black Boy pubThe Black Boy pub

Commenting on the new names, Greene King Pub Partners managing director Wayne Shurvinton 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 antiracist 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.

Reading Chronicle: PICTURED: Pub stock imagePICTURED: Pub stock image

"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.”

While the new names have now been confirmed, it is still likely to take a few months to change the signs at each pub, because of the timescales required to get the necessary planning permissions to carry out work on the buildings.

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.