Fatty Arbuckles set for name change

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

The group of over 50 restaurants has already changed the name of two Fatty Arbuckles in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, and Kettering, Northamptonshire, to Arbuckles American Cafés after a refurbishment. The menu remains virtually unchanged.

The Arbuckles Group insists that the reason for the change is to update the restaurants rather than because of negative associations with the 1920's actor whose reputation and career was ruined after his arrest for the sexual attack and 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 décor at its 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 needs a touch here and there."

by Christina Golding