Ye Olde Fighting Cocks responds to Halloween backlash

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks became the centre of attention this week, not for its beer or food, but its seasonal makeover.

Passersby spotted the decorations and some were displeased, with one Facebook user posting: "Have to admit to being a bit surprised at the Halloween ‘body bag’ hung beside the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks sign!"

The debate began.

The Halloween-themed exterior of the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. (Image: Martin Robinson) In a subtle response to the criticism, landlord Martin Robinson, 39, decided to nickname the effigy "Karen" with a tape gag on its mouth.

The body has since been renamed to "Kevin" according to the landlord.

"To me the whole thing is light-hearted and in the spirit of Halloween. I'm surprised about it all, especially as we had the same decorations last year and there was no fuss," Martin added.

The landlord believes that social media can "blow things out of proportion" and suggested some users should take a break from their keyboard.

More decorations can be found inside the pub. (Image: Martin Robinson) This morning, the BBC published an article voicing the concerns of St Albans-based charity The Ollie Foundation. 

A spokesperson told the BBC: "I think the pub has freedom of choice; however, the fact that so many local people have said they find it distasteful and upsetting should be reason enough for them to take it down.

"Decorations of a figure looking not dissimilar to a body in a body bag, with a noose around its neck, are deeply distressing."

In response, Martin was "upset" that it had caused trouble and welcomed anybody from The Ollie Foundation and people who felt "distressed" by the decorations to speak to him - even mentioning the possibility of the pub hosting another event raising money for the charity.

Halloween decorations inside Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. (Image: Martin Robinson) The 39-year-old also felt the reaction in-person and online had been "mostly positive" and would leave the display in accordance with the "majority".

He said: "We've had families in here all day, there's more decorations inside like skeletons dressed up as regulars and the kids have been laughing and playing around."