A Stoke-on-Trent bar’s rebranding to The Strangled Cat has faced criticism for perceived insensitivity towards animal lovers.
A bar in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, has sparked significant backlash on social media following its recent name change. The venue, previously known as Bloom, has been rebranded as The Strangled Cat in an effort to better align with its karaoke offerings. However, the new name has drawn criticism from various quarters, with some users on social media labelling it “disgusting” and accusing the venue of promoting animal abuse.
Critics have voiced their concerns, suggesting that the name could be seen as offensive to animal lovers. One individual remarked, “Disgusting name. You’ve automatically isolated all cat and animal lovers.” Another user commented, “What an awful name for a business. I wouldn’t visit for that very reason! Given the amount of animal abuse in this country, you could have thought of a better name, surely.”
Despite the intense criticism, Ryan Fanthorpe, the director of Breakthrough Bars, which owns the venue, has defended the decision. He explained to the BBC that the name was inspired by an “old wives’ saying” meant to describe a bad singer. “I don’t think The Strangled Cat is offensive when you combine it with the karaoke,” Fanthorpe stated.
The backlash has provoked a lively discussion online as patrons and potential visitors weigh in on the appropriateness of the name change. As it stands, the venue will retain its new identity while navigating the criticisms and sentiments expressed by members of the community.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/stoke-news-bar-strangled-cat-defends-name-woke-snowflakes – This article corroborates the backlash against The Strangled Cat bar’s new name and quotes from Ryan Fanthorpe defending it as a reference to poor karaoke singing.
- https://www.instagram.com/thestrangledcat/ – This Instagram page confirms The Strangled Cat as a karaoke and bottomless brunch bar in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
- https://www.allsides.com/news/2025-04-14-0915/technology-people-upset-stoke-trent-bars-name-are-snowflakes-owner – This article supports the criticism of the bar’s name, with accusations of promoting animal abuse, as well as Ryan Fanthorpe’s response.
- http://www.thestrangledcat.co.uk – The official website of The Strangled Cat provides information about the venue but does not directly address the controversy.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Unfortunately, this URL is mentioned as the source of the article but seems to be a placeholder and does not provide additional supporting information.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The content does not appear to be outdated, as it discusses a specific event in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, related to a bar’s recent name change. There are no indicators of recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from individuals criticizing the bar’s name are present but not specifically verified through other sources. The quote from Ryan Fanthorpe is mentioned to have been explained to the BBC, suggesting it is original.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, a well-known publication, though it may have a reputation for sensationalism. However, the mention of BBC as a reference adds credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The name change and the backlash seem plausible given the context of social media discussions on sensitive topics like animal abuse. No concrete evidence exists to discredit the claims outright.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and reflects a plausible scenario of controversy surrounding a bar’s name change. While quotes are somewhat verified, the credibility of the source is generally acceptable, though the Express’s reputation for sensationalism might affect perception.
