A RESIDENTS' group has vowed to fight the name change of a historic high street pub.
The Victory pub has had the same name since it opened in Pinner High Street 150 years ago.
But when it reopens in September as an Italian restaurant, it will be called Zizzi, the same as the rest of the restaurant chain.
But any alterations to the property, such as to its sign, will require listed-building consent from Harrow Council, and Pinner Association agreed at a meeting last week to oppose any changes to the sign.
Secretary Ruth Boff said: "They will have to apply for planning permission. We know, from what Pizza Express had to do, that even things like door handles have to be approved.
"Zizzi has gone through the right procedures and we will wait to see what they apply for. We do hope that The Victory won't become another corporate place that is just like any other high street chain.
"People want to know where they are when they visit Pinner."
The fast-growing restaurant chain, which secured a long-term lease on the building from freeholders Punch Taverns earlier this year, have said the Pinner branch will open on September 7.
But the Pinner Association has now put forward their own suggestion for renaming the pub: "Zizzi at The Victory."
Local historian Patricia Clarke said: "I'm not sure why it has to change; I would be very sorry to see the name go. The name goes back to 1860 when the first pub on that site was opened.
"I think it would be a great shame for Pinner to lose that name, I don't think it is necessary."
