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Case Study – JD Wetherspoon In July 2007 a new pub opened in St Austell named the Rann Wartha. It is the fifth JD Wetherspoon pub to open in Cornwall, and the fourth to be named in Cornish.
The name of the new pub translates as the "Higher Quarter," referring to the area of St Austell where the majority of the china clay pits were located. The other pubs named in Cornish are the Try Dowr in Truro, the Tremenheere in Penzance and the Towan Blystra in Newquay. Another Cornish named pub is also planned to open in Bodmin sometime in 2008 and JD Wetherspoon have been working with the Cornish Language Partnership’s Translation Group to come up with a name in Cornish for that also.
John Hutson, Chief Executive of JD Wetherspoon, explains the company’s rationale for naming their pubs in Cornish:
"The reason for utilising original Cornish language in our pub names stems from our desire to reflect as much of the local history of the building, area and town in our pub developments as possible. We feel that naming the pubs in Cornish not only helps to reflect the history of the name itself but also gives customers a bit of a talking point and a reason to discover some of that local history which we display on the walls."
As well as giving Cornish names to their new pubs in Cornwall, JD Wetherspoon have made a point of using bilingual signage inside their Cornish pubs too. For example, there are signs marking out areas for diners only, others directing people to the toilets, and amenity boards outside listing some of the facilities that are available at the pubs, and all of these signs are bilingual – in Cornish first, followed by English.
"The idea for using Cornish came about over a period of time and through discussion with local Cornish people about how they would like to see the Cornish language used more within the Duchy," explains Georgina Bridges, Area Manager for JD Wetherspoon. "As a result of this Wetherspoons thought that it would be a fantastic idea to help teach the younger generation in particular some Cornish words by incorporating them into our pub signs. We then became very involved with local artists and sign writers to progress this idea and it has gone from there. It is very important to JD Wetherspoon that by doing this we have become more involved with the Cornish community and are helping to preserve Cornish heritage."
The Rann Wartha is located on Biddicks Court, St Austell. Visit www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk for further information about the new pub and the other Cornish named pubs mentioned above.
If you run a business such a pub, shop or restaurant and are interested in using either Cornish or bilingual signage, contact the Cornish Language Partnership’s translation service at [email protected] or call 01872 323497 to discuss your requirements.
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