The Case is Altered should not be renamed.

 This famous old pub on the Eastcote & Pinner borders, 'The Case is Altered' is undergoing some renovations presently and will reopen in April. As a result of the changes, which will give a greater seating and serving area, the owners are proposing to change the name - it is unclear what the name will become but 'The Cricketers' and 'The Barn Owl' are two rumours. 

‘The Case is Altered’ or, familiarly, 'The Case' is an unusual, if not unique, name that helps the pub stay in even the casual visitors' memory – local residents tell of meeting people around the world who remember not only the charm of the pub, but the name especially. It’s an essential part of making it stand out in the memory.

The current owners of the pub - a hospitality group called City Pub Co. Ltd. have made the following statement to a local who sought confirmation of the intent to change the name: 

"Thank you for your email and please know the views of the local community are incredibly important to us. I wanted to write to each of you to assure you we will continue to be a local, community pub which we are confident you will continue to love. We understand the apprehension about any changes being made and acknowledge the role The Case is Altered has played in the community over the years. In that time it has changed hands through various companies and has encountered a mix of reactions, some very positive and some mistakes have been made.  We did choose to change the name to start fresh. So many people have come in over the years and kept the name but changed the experience. We want to maintain the positive experience but simply add to it.  This does not mean anything that you have loved in the past will be gone. We will still be a pub at heart, the features of the building will remain in place, there will a large garden in the summer months welcoming you in and fires burning in the winter. I can promise changing the name does not change what you love about the atmosphere and experience and we hope to be able to provide the best service, food and drink to date.  Our goal is to continue on with all aspects that have made the pub a favourite over the last few years, continue to be a hub of the community, maintain the integrity and provide the classic pub experience. In addition we aim to deliver exceptional food and dining experiences alongside a focus on quality local ale and keg product.  We hope you all still see it as your second home as we very much look to welcoming you back in once we re open. "

While it is inevitable that change will happen to a pub in this day and age to ensure that it maximises revenue and remains viable and thriving - and we do hope that City Inns will make their renovations in keeping with their aim of what we 'have loved in the past' in terms of character and ambience (which they have done very successfully in many other pubs in SE England)  - the change of name seems to offer nothing beneficial. It ends a nearly 200 year tradition of a former Coaching Inn, destroys the accumulated 'brand value' that embodies the pub's name and character and will alienate the local population upon which City Inns will rely to patronise the pub all year, rather than only on high days and holidays. 

This petition is not about the structural changes - we accept that this is necessary and trust to the owners to take care in that regard. It is just to advocate for the retention of the name 'The Case is Altered'.  

So please, if you feel that the proposed name change is wrong - for heritage, historic and/or plain good commercial reasons - add your name to this petition which will be passed on to the owners with a respectful request that they rethink their strategy - 'The Case is Altered' is an iconic, unusual, memorable and much loved name that is part of the community and amenity of Eastcote & Pinner and should be retained as the name over the gables of the newly relaunched pub and restaurant. Which we all hope will thrive for many more centuries to come!

Thank you!