Reports had earlier flooded into this correspondent that the hotel was closing. A former licensee, who shall remain anonymous, was most distressed when he contacted this newspaper.

“All those memories,’’ he lamented from his taxi.

We checked a few industry sources (as we say in this game) but they were unaware of the immediate plans for the hotel. We understand (again, something we say in this game. It means we’re guessing and/or indulging in make believe) that the previous manager has left the building and the hotel is in a state of flux.

There was a suggestion the hotel could be converted into a hostel for backpackers. That’s just what this city needs – more unemployed layabouts hanging around the place.

But again, this could not be confirmed.

The hotel in question has been a Taree landmark for eons. This correspondent, for one, spent a fair proportion of the 1980s and some of the 1990s there. They were memorable days, although unfortunately our memory of them is now a little hazy. That’s the downside of advancing years, we suppose.

But to be honest, we now no longer care what happens to the joint. For we pledged never to put a foot in the front bar when the powers that be decided to change its name.

The establishment was known as either the Hotel Fotheringham or Fotheringham’s Hotel from the day it was opened until reasonably recent times. Arthur Fotheringham was the first owner, hence the name. This was shortened to Foggs, or Fogs Hotel as the years went by.

It was Foggs Hotel or Foggs Pub when we were a regular there. The old saloon bar was the meeting place and brown beer was the preferred tipple. Many cerebral debates were conducted within those walls. Foggs on a Friday afternoon was the place to be, with workers spilling out onto the footpath, especially during the warmer months. Taree’s Aquatic Carnival, held in late January, was another hectic time. Foggs Pub t-shirts were always handy for a last minute birthday/Christmas/anniversary gift.

Council owned Foggs for a time and threatened to close it down to turn it into a cultural centre. This was in the pre-Manning Entertainment Centre days.

Drinkers revolted. Council eventually backed down and flogged the pub off by auction circa 1989. It’s had numerous owners since.

But whatever happened before, during or after those days, the hotel was always known as Foggs. We recall the day the name was changed.

“What have they done? Have they no sense of history,’’ one ex-patron sort of wailed, for we have deliberately deleted the expletives.

This was one of numerous calls we took that fateful day.

And we have to wonder what the name change achieved. Nothing, if the events of last week are any guide.

The hotel’s new moniker will never appear in this space.

We suppose the owners had their reasons for their Stalinist revision of history, but we have no interest in finding out what they were or are.

However, revert to Foggs and we might have a change of mind and rediscover our old pub.

We’re even prepared to organise an expeditionary force of former regulars to re-visit the hotel.

Who knows, if we like it, we might stay.

But only if it’s known as Foggs. Call it anything else and the deal’s off.