After more than 200 years, The Sloop Inn at Wootton is set to undergo a name change and will soon be known as ‘The Watermill’ under proposals by its parent company.
Stonehouse has applied to the Isle of Wight Council for permission to change signage and lighting on the Grade II listed building at Mill Square, Wootton Bridge.
The proposal does not involve any changes to the current operation of the site, with pizzas, carveries and burgers still set to be served. But changing the name and appearance of the building is said to be enhancing the advertising to passing customers.
It was in 1759 that James Gumm, of Newport, had a property in Crocker Street that later became known as Benjamin Mew’s Brewery. Following his death in 1787, his window Ann made up a will which stated she had purchased a half share of The Sloop Public House at Wootton.
It’s thought that The Sloop Inn got its name because of its close proximity to the creek, and a Sloop being a masted boat.
An Inn has been on this site since 1849, and is still currently trading today, how many are not? To the left of the Sloop (hidden in pic), is a convenience shop, owned by a Mr Mole.
It’s thought that the new name of The Watermill comes from the fact that to the right of The Sloop stood Wootton Mill, which had been there since the 11th century and was once owned by the monks of Quarr.
It will still be known as the “slop”.
Be a better idea to change the chef. The food is dried out burnt or undercooked. One to avoid I’m afraid.
Be a better idea to change the so called chef. The food is dried out burnt or undercooked. One to avoid I’m afraid.
Who cares about the name of a pub.
Quality is my first concern and then value.
How sad you should think a pubs name to be unimportant. Pubs and their names record and celebrate centuries of our history and traditions. I enjoyed a pint at the Sloop after delivering boats to the creek sixty years ago. I suspect the change of name is because the owners believe very few people would know what a sloop is nowadays.
But why??
But why the change, tax fiddle??
But why the change, is it a tax fiddle??
what a waste of time
You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig
Waste of money that would be better spent on smartening up the interior.
No No No my Mother and my Grandparents lived there throughout the 1920’s and the name should never be changed after all it has always been know as the Sloop Inn and it makes absolutely
no sense in changing it now so I ask the council to revoke the name change weather or not that people like the food their or not it’s an historic public house that should be protected from the idiots that are probably not islanders