Ploughman’s lunch is cancelled! Café renames traditional snack as a ploughperson’s to the horror of customers

• Espresso Corner in Kirkgate, Huddersfield, boasts a 4.5/5 Tripadvisor rating
• Read more: God could be ‘non-gendered’ in Church of England services

A Huddersfield town centre café has begun describing its Ploughman’s Lunch as Ploughperson’s to the dismay of some of its customers.

Espresso Corner in Kirkgate describes itself as a ‘cozy little independent coffee shop’ and offers an appetising range of dishes.

Listed in Yorkshire’s 2023 Cyclist Coffee Guide, the vegetarian-friendly café has a high rating of 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor and has earned itself a loyal following since opening several years ago. 

However, it seems some customers are not impressed with their menu – especially in regard to their Ploughperson’s lunch featuring bread, cheese, fresh or pickled onions and their slight twist with smoked cheddar and pear chutney.

Melvyn Stancliffe, 57, from Marsh, said after entering the café for a coffee: ‘I noticed the menu and had a look at it and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a sandwich called Ploughperson’s. I queried it with the waitress. 

A Huddersfield town centre cafe has begun describing its Ploughman’s Lunch as Ploughperson’s to the dismay of some of its customers

Espresso Corner on Kirkgate, Huddersfield

‘I didn’t think I was being argumentative but she politely declined to engage with me. Another customer objected to my tone which they thought was ‘aggressive’ and invited me to leave which I did.’

Jason Isherwood added: ‘It’s political correctness gone wrong, it is just bloody mad and I wouldn’t be eating it after hearing this. I won’t even say the phrase.’ 

Tony Singh, who owns Caffe Venecia on Market Street, also said: ‘I think if it’s not broke then don’t fix it. 

‘These kind of changes can be very confusing for customers once you start going down that road.’ 

He joked: ‘Maybe they could call a Fisherman’s Friend a Fisherperson’s Friend!’

However Stephen Knight, from Huddersfield town centre, said: ‘I think it’s a good idea. I’m all in favour of equality. Women have been farming for years so why not?’

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, who called for Kaffir Road in Edgerton to be renamed following claims it had racist connotations, laughed about Espresso Corner’s decision to rename the dish.  

He said: ‘Quite honestly someone who is in the café business can call their dishes what they like. I am not bothered.’

A ploughman’s lunch is an English cold meal based around bread, cheese, and fresh or pickled onions

In November 2020 BBC’s Europe Editor Katya Adler faced ridicule when she referenced ‘fisherpeople’ instead of ‘fishermen’. 

She used the term because the BBC’s style guide was altered with instructions to say it should be used in place of fishermen. 

The BBC’s policy states ‘men’ should be left out of job roles that aren’t exclusively male.

Espresso Corner, which has two branches in the town centre, has been approached for comment.

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