Fatty Arbuckles opts for a name change

Fatty Arbuckles, the US-style diner chain named after the notorious American comedian accused of rape and murder, has decided to change its name.

The group of more than 50 restaurants has already changed two Fatty Arbuckles in Salfor Quays, Greater Manchester, and Kettering, Northamptonshire, to Arbuckles American Cafés after a refurbishment. The menu is virtually unchanged.

The Arbuckles Group insists that the reason for the change is to update the restaurants rather than because of negative connotations with the actor, whose reputation was ruined after his arrest for the killing of a would-be starlet in 1921.

The decision to drop the Fatty Arbuckles name comes almost three months after a damning review in the Scotsman newspaper. Journalist Tom Morton criticised the food, prices and decor at the Glasgow branch and went into great detail of the Arbuckle rape and murder trials, at which Arbuckle was acquitted. The review concluded: "What is this chain trying to achieve by calling its establishment after such an undoubtedly hideous figure?"

Arbuckles Group head of marketing Michael Harber said: "All brands move on and we felt that after 15 years we ought to see if it needs a touch hereand there."

by Christina Golding