Change of heart means Ketton Ox lives on in Yarm

Barracuda Ltd, which owns the Ketton Ox, had intended to change its name to The Ox, but following written objections from the town council highlighting the pub's history the name will be retained.

John Deal, a spokesman for Barracuda, said: "We decided after some discussion to retain the name of the Ketton Ox.

"The change was never set in stone but we are aware of the concerns expressed by the town council and local people.

"We are not hung up on branding and at the end of the day the last thing we wanted to do was tamper with the pub's history and heritage."

The pub, originally a coaching inn, was named the Ketton Ox in 1829 after the famous Durham ox of 1802, which was bred by Charles Colling of Ketton, near Darlington.

The beast, weighing 34cwt and 11ft around the girth, was taken around the country and exhibited at fairs.

The pub is also one of six grade II* listed buildings in the town within a conservation area.

The town council's chairman Philip Addison was delighted with Barracuda's decision, and Coun Peter Monck, who is also a member of the Yarm Civic Society, said it was brilliant news.

"We are all very proud of our heritage and the history of Yarm and we wanted the name to be retained," said Coun Monck.

"I am pleased Barracuda has listened and taken on board everything we have said. They have recognised the significance of the name.

"There have been cases in the past where pubs have been lost. Fortunately, the Civic Society has kept a record of these buildings and their history, and we didn't want to lose any more.

"However, there are still issues to do with the planning application for the new signs but that is a matter for the planners now."

As part of the £500,000 refurbishment of the Ketton Ox, Barracuda has applied to Stockton Council for permission to erect two new pub signs with blue lighting and for one double sided free-standing panel to be placed on the pavement outside the building.