Pub in England says ‘no’ to Vogue magazine’s name-change request, accuses it of bullying
- The fashion publication asked the bar owner to rename it as it could ‘cause problems’ and members of the public might confuse the two businesses
- ‘I presume that at the time when you chose the name Vogue … you did not seek permission from the villagers of the real Vogue,’ pub landlord said after refusing
The owner of an English pub says he was asked to change the bar’s name by a fashion magazine because of the name of the village where it’s located, which is called Vogue.
Mark Graham, who runs The Star Inn, Vogue, in a rural area of Cornwall in southwest England, said he received a letter from the publisher of British Vogue magazine, Conde Nast, saying the name could “cause problems” because members of the public might confuse the two businesses.
He said the letter from Sabine Vandenbroucke, chief operating officer of Conde Nast Britain, asked if he would change the name, adding: “Please reply within seven days or we will take remedial action.”
Graham stood his ground.
“There’s always too much a case of the big boys trying to stomp on the little boys, and as soon as I realised what they were trying to do, I went ‘you’re not having me, my handsome,’” he told broadcaster ITV.