O'Neills challenges namesake

The owners of an independent pub called O'Neills in Birmingham city centre are battling to prevent Bass Taverns from opening its second O'Neill's pub in the area.

Michael and Karen O'Neill are trying to prevent the conversion of the Sir Harry pub in Edgbaston to Bass's O'Neill's brand, because they claim Bass's existing O'Neill's on Broad Street already causes their customers confusion.

The couple have already won a secondary injunction against the Broad Street O'Neill's, which serves to register their objections but does not prevent it trading. They are now hoping a primary injunction will bring their case to court more rapidly.

"The Broad Street pub already causes a great deal of confusion. We have spent five years building up goodwill," said Mr O'Neill.

"We both do live music; we are in the same business. Many of our customers are not regulars: if they come for a band or a party, it is very simple for them to go to the wrong venue," he added.

A spokesman for Bass said: "Bass Taverns currently operates 71 O'Neill's Irish bars around the country, all of which have a distinct brand identity.

"They all offer a traditional Irish welcome with Irish food, drinks and music and are proving extremely popular. As a consequence, a considerable amount of goodwill and reputation in the name has been built up by Bass."