I changed the name of my shop as soon as I took it over, it too was named after the previous owner. For a few months we traded as 'new name' at 'old name' until I got bored with it. Straight off I was using my new branding on letterheads, bus cards, ads etc, had the shop repainted with my colour, had the van and the shop front signwritten with the new name. I experienced no real problems with the name change, people knew who we were, but we are in a really prominent position on the High St. I still get the odd person ringing up asking 'is that "old name"' even after 4 years. I did lose a customer this Vals cos he couldn't remember our shop name and 118 gave him my competitor's details, but he did come in to try and collect from us and was given a bollocking cos he's a regular customer, the fool hahaha.

So, go for it Treen, just do it, and do it in a oner.