by John Prince
The owners of a popular Hornsea-based coffee business have changed its name and image because of trademark issues.
The Peaky Grinders mobile coffee company, which has been in business since 2021, has been a regular fixture at events all along the East Yorkshire coast from Hornsea Carnival, the Hornsea Bike Show and Skirlington Market to Strawberry Fields near Bridlington.
Run by husband and wife team Becky and Dale Lumb, their black converted horsebox had livery similar to the TV series Peaky Blinders, with Becky and Dale and their staff dressing up in period outfits that resemble characters from the show.
They have now been contacted by lawyers acting for the Banijay Group, which is the company behind the programme, who say the business name and associated imagery may infringe trademark rights.
Banijay, which owns the intellectual property rights to the series, has asked the business to withdraw its trademark application and remove any branding or visuals that could be associated with Peaky Blinders.
No legal action has been taken, and the matter currently remains at the stage of correspondence between the parties.
The couple have already changed the name of their business to The Original Grinders (above) and redesigned a different logo.
Becky said that because of the renaming and rebranding of the company, it could cost them upwards of £6,000.
New signage will have to be done, business cards and merchandise will have to be changed and they will have to reregister under a different name with agencies and for private bookings.
This could possibly result, she said, in lost business.
Becky said: “We’ve officially renamed our [Facebook] page as part of our rebranding, and we will also be giving our trailer and overall look a fresh new makeover.
“We’re sorry for any confusion this may cause, and we really appreciate your patience and understanding while we make these changes.
“We are going to lose a lot of money on this, but we’ve got to think positive. We’ve come across hurdles all the time and we get through it.
“Like we tell our customers – keep smiling and keep going.
“I just want them to keep supporting us. It’s still us, and it’s the same coffee. It’s the old us, just with a new look.
“All being well they’ll keep supporting us. We don’t want to lose anybody, and we want them all to stand by us.”