Name game goes on at Blackpool's controversial 'Viagra' Hotel'

The owner of Blackpool's most controversial hotel has been forced to rethink a controversial rebrand following a threat of legal action.
All branding has been removed from the hotel in Dickson RoadAll branding has been removed from the hotel in Dickson Road
All branding has been removed from the hotel in Dickson Road

Neil Marshall caused consternation when he re-branded his Dickson Road property as the Viagra Hotel earlier this year – complete with the slogan ‘keeping you up all night’.

He refused to budge when Blackpool Council hinted he could be handed an Asbo if he didn’t change the signs at the former Vidella Hotel.

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Neil did, crossing out the V and replacing it with an N to become the Niagra hotel.

Neil Marshall says he removed the Viagra name after legal threats from PfeizerNeil Marshall says he removed the Viagra name after legal threats from Pfeizer
Neil Marshall says he removed the Viagra name after legal threats from Pfeizer

But now, faced with the prospect of legal action from drug giant Pfeizer which owns the Viagra brand, the hotelier has taken the decision to start again.

He said: “The company that owns the Viagra brand wrote to me and said I had 28 days to change it.

“I’m up for a fight but I know that’s one I’m not going to win.

“Pfeizer is too big, it’s a global brand.

Neil Marshall says he removed the Viagra name after legal threats from PfeizerNeil Marshall says he removed the Viagra name after legal threats from Pfeizer
Neil Marshall says he removed the Viagra name after legal threats from Pfeizer
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“They issued a notice and I had to comply, I can’t afford not to.”

But Neil’s branding battle, which has put him at loggerheads with Blackpool Council certainly isn’t over.

He said: “We’ll come up with a new name, another daft one.

“I’ve not thought of one yet. How about readers of The Gazette come up with one?.

“I’ll carry on because the publicity has been amazing.

“I’ve had TV shows from here and even in America want to speak to me.

“It’s been crazy, it’s been brilliant for us.”