You might have noticed that I quite like pubs and that I also quite like cats.
I also quite like Black Country Ales, the local pubco that do a fantastic job of traditional, real-ale biased pubs that are the kind of place I like to drink.
Which made this story all the more disappointing:
Blog from The Sandwell Skidder here
The Wellington is one of the older BCA pubs and something of an institution, with the typically 16 handpumps, the TV screens that display beer, not sport, and the pubcats.
Previously, there was Welly, the pubcat, now there’s Malt and Hops– but basically, there is a long, long tradition of cats at The Wellington.
The reason for their proposed eviction isn’t clear, but there is speculation that it relates to this review:
It is unclear what possession belonging to cats the pub is for 😉 , or is that just me being a grammar nazi?
Black Country Ales aren’t commenting, or responding to emails, and it’s now right across social media, the news, and the web. It’s not a good look lads, the Internet loves cats. Lots of pub goers love cats, and it’s not unknown for cats to be a prominent feature.
[edit 2024-07-25]
From Black Country Ales’ Facebook:
We at Black Country Ales would like to thank all who have expressed interest regarding the rehoming of The Wellington’s cats, Malt and Hops. We assure everyone that the welfare of the cats is uppermost in our own thinking, and that of the licensee whom we met today and who is in agreement with the plan.
In readiness for an extensive refurbishment and correction of significant building issues, the cats will be permanently rehomed in a safer and more fitting environment. Whilst we understand that many people enjoy the independent nature of cats, which do exactly as they please, it does mean that their confinement indoors has raised challenges in maintaining good hygiene and tidiness. And, of course, many people do not want the unsolicited company of a cat with their pint or sandwich.
We hope that this clarifies what will be happening at the pub and reassures everyone of our commitment to a happy and safe rehoming for Malt and Hops, and a comfortable, newly renovated pub for all our customers.
The post originally read like this, as can be seen in the edit history:
We at Black Country Ales would like to thank all who have expressed interest regarding the rehoming of The Wellington’s cats, Malt and Hops. We assure everyone that the welfare of the cats is uppermost in our own thinking, and that of the licensee whom we met today and who is in agreement with the plan.
The licensee’s original three kittens arrived during Covid, and after the sad death of one of them outside the pub, the remaining two have since been confined indoors 24/7. In readiness for an extensive refurbishment and correction of significant building issues, the cats will be permanently rehomed in a safer and more fitting environment. Whilst we understand that many people enjoy the independent nature of cats, which do exactly as they please, it does mean that their confinement indoors has raised challenges in maintaining good hygiene and tidiness. And, of course, many people do not want the unsolicited company of a cat with their pint or sandwich.
We hope that this clarifies what will be happening at the pub and reassures everyone of our commitment to a happy and safe rehoming for Malt and Hops, and a comfortable, newly renovated pub for all our customers.
This is untrue. The cats were present in 2019- my blog linked above mentions them, and other Facebook posters state that the third kitten, Chip, lived happily at The Woodman until its closure and is alive and well.