Woke finance bosses at Nottingham Building Society have ditched iconic folk hero Robin Hood from their logo to become more “inclusive”.
The Notts hero and outlaw, infamous for stealing from the rich to give to the poor, has been axed from the firm’s branding for failing to reflect “financial diversity”.
Former Conservative minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke criticised the decision. He said: “There’s nothing more English than the story of Robin Hood – the classic folklore legend.
“Again, this is the madness of woke culture taking over.”
Former Conservative minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke said: “There’s nothing more English than the story of Robin Hood – the classic folklore legend”
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Announcing the change on their website, Nottingham Building Society said: “We’ve mixed our rich history with a modern twist. We want to reflect society as it is today. For us, that means championing inclusivity and celebrating financial diversity.
“Consider it a glow-up, but for a building society, changing to make sure we’re fresh and relevant for current and future members.”
Sir Alec Shelbrooke said: “Robin Hood used to have a quiver, but now it’s the do-gooders at Nottingham Building Society.
“These types of local building societies have a connection to the people around them. Ditching the city’s best-known figure doesn’t seem like a wise business decision and one that will probably be very unpopular with customers.”
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Customers criticised the move online, calling the rebrand “ridiculous” and “baffling”.
Responding to the building society’s X post, one user wrote: “I preferred the old logo. Haven’t you always been evolving over the last 175 years?”
Another called the change a “waste of money” and that it had “ruined a well known brand”.
They continued: “What is wrong with celebrating/using a well known English legend?”
Usually accompanied by Maid Marian and his merry men, Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor, fighting against the Sheriff of Nottingham to do so
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Nottingham Building Society had used Robin Hood in their logo since the 1980s.
Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor, fighting against the Sheriff of Nottingham to do so.
Though he is usually accompanied by Maid Marian and his merry men, various adaptations differ in the specific details.
A British folk figure that has now inspired numerous retellings spanning across literature, cinema and literature, the legend is said to have origins in 14th century ballads.
On the big screen, actors Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe and John Cleese have played the rebel over the years.
