Barras Art and Design (BAaD) have broken the silence over the controversial name given to a new beer and craft bar in Glasgow's East End. 

The Barras Market events venue fell under heavy criticism last week for the choice of name for the new bar, where an Instagram post inviting people to sign up for updates on the new pub was flooded with complaints from the public - with some accusing the owners of perpetuating an ethnic slur.

BAaD have since broken the silence over the choice of name through an open letter, adding that they have been working closely with the city's travelling community to develop The Gypsy Taproom (TGT) project. 

READ MORE: Barras venture facing criticism over 'Gypsy Taproom' pub

The letter reads: "Prior to launch, we discussed the TGT name with our friends within the Glasgow travelling community who we share premises within the East End of Glasgow and have worked together with them on a variety of events and festivals. 

"We spoke to them about the project and to take their views on both the Gypsy brewer name used by the craft beer movement but more importantly the name gypsy taproom for the Barras project."

The venue added that although the description 'gypsy' is widely considered as an ethnic slur, the travelling community they have collaborated with does not consider this term offensive.

The letter continues: "We discussed that although the description is widely used within brewing circles, it may be deemed to be inappropriate by other groups or if they thought of it as a slur or an insult. Our friends within the gypsy and traveller community assured us that the name 'The Gypsy Taproom’ was not offensive to them as they understand the context it was to be used in.

"When they enquired further within their own communities, no other concerns were raised giving us the confidence to progress with the name."

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BAaD have now reached out to Romano Lav, a charity based in Govanhill that promotes equality for Roma people in Scotland.

The letter adds: "After very positive discussions we are delighted that members of the trustees and chair of the charity have agreed to meet so we can discuss our thinking and our actions. 

"We despise racism and intolerance of any kind. It has no place within BAaD and couldn’t be any further from our thoughts when naming a new venture. 

"We are a small independent business and local to the area. We have worked hard at supporting our community within the East End. We set out to try and do something good by creating a platform for the gypsy brewing community within the local craft beer community and are devastated that our name could be misconstrued in any other way.

"We will not be making any further statement on this until we have had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Romano Lav later this week so we can listen to any concerns that they have as to our intentions and we can better understand the Roma community in Glasgow."

In the open letter, the venue and events business outlined their strong stance against racism and beliefs in equality as it bullet-pointed the company's values.

The full letter can be read here.