A STORM of protest greeted the news that The Gate public house in Chorleywood would be re-opened under a new name.

Members of Chorleywood Parish Council threatened to boycott the 200-year-old pub in Rickmansworth Road if its name was changed to the Jenny Wren, following an announcement at a parish council meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Mrs Jane Weitzmann said: 'I suggest we write back to their solicitors and point out there is a lot of bad feeling because of the village's historical link with The Gate. Hopefully they might change their minds.

'I would boycott it on principle, however nice it might be.'

Councillor Mr John Ellis added: 'A change in name could have an adverse effect on local trade because it is part of our heritage. It will not be a popular move.'

Councillors also expressed their anger at not being consulted on the name change, and agreed to lodge their objections with the company's solicitors. The pub dates back to 1773 and acquired its name after serving travellers stopping at the nearby tollgate.

The venue has recently been bought by leisure retailers Vintage Inns and is undergoing a £1 million face-lift.

A spokesman for Vintage Inns said the name would be more in keeping with the pub's new image.

However, chairman of Rickmansworth Historical Society Mr Geoff Saul said he was disappointed the company had chosen such a 'meaningless' name and would be outlining his concerns in a letter.

He said: 'We are extremely concerned at the dropping of a historical name and the incorporation of something which is as pointless and meaningless as can be.'

Chairman of Chorleywood and District Residents' Association Mr Rowland Whitson added it was wrong to lose the historical connection.

He said: 'We don't want to stick our heads in the sand over the matter, but the historical relevance has got to be kept.'

Most Vintage Inns pubs are named after birds and animals. The 'Jenny' in the Jenny Wren has been added for its quirkiness.

The company spokesman gave assurances the pub would maintain the atmosphere of a traditional British inn when it re-opened.

She said: 'We take the name of pubs very seriously and appreciate how important it is, but we wanted to communicate to people the pub has completely changed in terms of the food and drink served and the staff.

'The name is something everyone is attached to, but after they have seen the pub it won't be as important anymore.'

The Jenny Wren will open on Tuesday, August 29, but new landlords Mr Tony Johnstone and his wife Sarah will be offering local businesses and the public the chance of a free preview meal the weekend before. Thirty new jobs are expected to be created.