Wetherspoon names Telford pub after anti-drink campaigner

Plans to name a new pub after a Shropshire town's most famous author have been dubbed "ill-considered" because she was a long-time campaigner against the evils of "the demon drink".

JD Wetherspoon bosses have spent £700,000 converting the former B Wise shop in New Street, Wellington, into a pub. And the firm have announced it that will be called The Hesba Stretton after the author who was born nearby.

However Wellington-born local historian and Hesba Stretton biographer Allan Frost has called on the firm to think again.

He said that whoever suggested Hesba's name must have either been mischievous or ignorant of her life.

Mr Frost said: "I am dismayed that this name has apparently been chosen, especially during the 100th anniversary since her death."

He added: "In fact I and, by all accounts many others, have written to Wetherspoon's explaining why it seems a little ill-considered and inappropriate, bearing in mind she was brought up in a strict Methodist family, spent many years writing books and articles highlighting the evil effects of the demon drink on society in general and families and children in particular.

"As a consequence of her political influence, she became a founder member of the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the forerunner to today's NSPCC. I could go on."

Mr Frost, from Priorslee, said he and others had suggested that JD Wetherspoon officials should instead reinstate the name of the inn and hotel which had previously occupied the site — The Duke of Wellington.

He said: "This would be a very welcome move and show that Wetherspoons at least had some interest in the town's history.

"Obviously, someone with a mischievous mind or ignorant of what Hesba's life was all about must have put her name forward."

He said that after receiving letters of complaint JD Wetherspoon staff had told him they would be reconsidering the name.

He said: "I understand William Withering's name has also been suggested.

"Again, presumably by someone not familiar with his actual work. Mind you, it's a far better suggestion than Hesba Stretton."

No-one from JD Wetherspoon was available to comment this morning.

The former B Wise store later became Pounds Worth.

By Toby Neal