Warning signs

Traditional pub signs, which can often raise a smile before a customer has even ventured into the bar, are facing a serious threat.

Not only are signs that give a clue to the character of a pub disappearing as many businesses struggle to cope with the perfect storm of problems facing the trade, but the way they are produced is also changing.

Where individual artists were once commissioned to create bold and unique designs, in these days of pub companies and mass manufacturing many pubs of the same name will also have the same sign.

Alan Rose set up the Inn Sign Society 20 years ago both as a fan of the artwork and because he was keen to see it preserved.

He believes the threat to pub signs has never been greater.

"It is part of our heritage but because pubs are disappearing, so are the signs," he says.

"But it is not just the fact that pubs are closing ­ we are also losing some of the traditions. If we keep going the way we are they will all be corporate signs and we will only have pubs called the Rat & Parrot.

"The signs are a totally British institution. All along our roads there are so many different types of sign but the ones for the pub are unique.

"I think it is a good advertisement for the industry and we advise people to try to save them where they can."

The society, which now has around 400 members, is concerned about the loss of individuality in pub signs.

There is currently no legislation to stop breweries or pub companies changing the name of the pub or the sign, but the society is keen to see that changed.

On its website it states: "We as a society feel that some form of planning permission should be required for any change of name or the removal of a pictorial sign."

First impressions

Having the right sign outside your pub can help create an impression on people passing by and encourage them to see what¹s inside.

Peter Gower-Crane recently took over the Victoria pub in Bristol. It had previously hit the headlines when the former licensee swapped a picture of the 19th-century Queen for one of Victoria Beckham.

Peter has now gone a stage further and replaced the iconic Victoria of the 1990s with one from the 'noughties', and an image of Little Britain creation Vicky Pollard now proudly hangs outside the pub.

The sign has raised a few eyebrows in the area but has also led to plenty of column inches, which will only help put the pub firmly in people¹s consciousness.

Peter told The Publican​: "Even if people don¹t come into the pub it might put a smile on their face when they go past.

"When I arrived Victoria Beckham was in pieces, so I had to do something about it and decided Vicky Pollard had more of a local appeal.

!A friend of mine is an artist, so he agreed to do the job. It doesn't really say much about what we are or what we do but people notice it and it is a talking point."

Signs can also create controversy. Just ask licensees Tom and Vicki Faulkner, who changed the name of the Dorchester Arms in Hook, Hampshire, to the Hogget Bar & Kitchen.

The new sign features a young pig, but many have since let the couple know they believe a hogget is in fact a young sheep.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, believes a sign can play a key part in forming first impressions of your business.

He says: "I personally think the original signs are far better.

"A good-looking sign can attract people. When people see the sign from the road or the car park it can really say something about the character of the pub. On the other hand, if the sign is dirty and has not been looked after, it can put people off. And it is not just the signs but the names of the pubs that can highlight the nature of an establishment.

"For example JD Wetherspoon has just redeveloped an old Slug & Lettuce site in Oxford and reopened it with the name the Four Candles.

The name is inspired by the classic Two Ronnies sketch. Ronnie Barker, who is given four candles when he asks for fork handles, was educated at the nearby City of Oxford High School for Boys.

JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said the name reflects the company's policy of using names of local relevance at its 700 pubs.

"We always like to come up with different names and do some research in the area so we have about half-a-dozen to choose from," he said.

"We feel that pubs are part of the community and so we chose a name to reflect that. In this case it has also resulted in some press interest. That was not the reason we did it, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

"Rather than it just being another pub opening, if there is a name that might feature in the press it is not a bad thing."

As Alan says, the names and signs of pubs go far beyond the businesses themselves. He says: "I am not a huge pub-goer, but I think the signs are such a part of our heritage they have got to be worth fighting for."

Pub sign history

The origins of pub signs go back to the Romans, who would hang vine leaves outside premises were wine was sold. In Britain evergreen bushes were substituted for the vines.

By the time pubs started getting names in the 12th century, they also started getting signs because the majority of people couldn¹t read.

Many pub names have a link to the monarchy. For example the most common pub name, the Red Lion, comes from James I, who decided the heraldic red lion of Scotland should be displayed on all buildings of importance ­ including pubs.