Traditionalists have bemoaned a name-change for an historic Mirfield pub.

The Three Nuns in Leeds Road – which dates back to the 16th century – will open as a Miller & Carter Steakhouse on Friday, April 1.

The upmarket chain, run by Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK’s largest pub and restaurant companies, will be known as Miller & Carter Mirfield.

The Three Nuns closed in February for a two-month revamp which saw the name dropped and the iconic three nuns plaque removed from above the main entrance.

Said to be haunted, the pub is close to the site of the old Kirklees Priory and the reputed grave of Robin Hood.

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A blue plaque on the building says the inn may have been “taken over” by three nuns after Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monastries in 1539.

The three nuns – Katherine Grice, Joan Leverthorpe and Cecilia Topcliffe – moved there but Sister Katherine came to a tragic end when she fell pregnant and drowned herself in a nearby stream.

Local people have complained over the loss of the Three Nuns name on the Mirfield Matters Facebook group.

READ MORE: First look at 'haunted' Miller & Carter steakhouse in Mirfield

Local historian and Mirfield town councillor David Pinder said it was important to preserve local history and added: “There was nothing wrong with keeping the Three Nuns name, even having it in brackets after Miller & Carter.

“The pub is surrounded by the Kirklees Estate – from which Kirklees Council took its name – and there is a great deal of history around there, not least Robin Hood.

“We should preserve these historic connections.”

Clr Pinder said locals would still refer to the pub as the Three Nuns though the name would die out over time.

He pointed out that other Mirfield pubs had also undergone name changes only to change them back years – or only months – later.

Miller & Carter Steak House (former Three Nuns), Huddersfield Road, Mirfield.

The Railway in Huddersfield Road wiped away 120 years of history to become The White Stag for a few months in 2014 before reverting back and The Plough in Shillbank Lane flirted with the Flying Shuttle name before switching back.

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The long-established Dusty Miller in Dunbottle Lane became the Yorkshire Puddin’ for several years but now has its original name back.

Writing on Mirfield Matters, Pam Thornes said: “The Plough and Dusty both had their names changed but went back. Shame about Three Nuns losing its name because of the history though.”

Jo Watson said: “I was a bit upset it was losing its name when I noticed, but it will always be the Three Nuns and have its history, and it’s not a block of flats or a Tesco’s.”

The pub, which still has a creepy wooden painting of three nuns in the bar area, has a reputation for being haunted.

A spokesperson for Miller & Carter said: "As a national restaurant brand, Miller & Carter, we use the brand name first followed by the location, hence Miller & Carter, Mirfield and unfortunately this means that we have had to drop the Three Nuns name.

"The specialist steak restaurant in Leeds Road, Mirfield will open on April 1. An Orchid pub purchased by Mitchells & Butlers, this historic inn has been sympathetically refurbished and becomes the 43 Miller & Carter specialist steak restaurant to open in the UK, offering guests award winning, succulent steaks and an array of other dishes and drinks."

READ MORE: Electrician working on new Miller & Carter steakhouse reports spooky activity

Staff and contractors working on the latest revamp reported a series of unexplained happenings.

The most spooky was electrician Steve Heath who knocked over a box of screws and put them back only for them to be tipped out and left in a strange pile while he changed a lightbulb.

A VIP night will be held on Thursday ahead of the opening to the public at noon on Friday.

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