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The name of a £500 million city development scheme has today been dropped after campaign groups complained about its links with the slave trade.
The Bristol development launched as “Merchants Quarter” has attracted criticism since the name was unveiled last year.
Bristol, like other major ports in the country, grew rich on the back of the slave trade in the 18th century.
Opponents have said the name of the city centre regeneration project, Merchants Quarter, was an insensitive reminder of Bristol’s past.
Now the developers, the Bristol Alliance, have decided to drop the name of the project in the face of growing public disquiet.
Philip Vaughan, Bristol Alliance project director said: “After listening carefully to comments and concerns expressed by local communities in Bristol, the Alliance has decided not to pursue the name Merchants Quarter.
“The Bristol Alliance is investing £500 million in the regeneration of Bristol city centre.
“Our overall objective is to deliver a city centre that everyone can take pride in and from which everyone will be able to benefit.
“We would not wish the name of the development to cause offence to any individual or group.”
The massive development due to be completed in 2008 is set to transform the centre of Bristol, providing the city with a revamped shopping centre, bars and housing.
The leader of Bristol City Council, Barbara Janke has been lobbying for a change of the name for some time.
She said: “There is no doubt that the proposed branding has offended a significant number of people in the areas directly affected by the scheme.
“I welcome the Alliance’s announcement. It shows that they have been listening carefully to the concerns of local people and their elected councillors.
Resident groups in the city mounted a campaign to change the Merchants Quarter name soon after it was unveiled.
Simba Tongogara, Afro Caribbean representative of St Paul’s Unlimited Partnership, welcomed today’s announcement.
He said: “It’s a deep rooted thing in terms of the Afro-Caribbean community.
“It’s good that the Bristol Alliance has seen the sensitivity of the issue.
“Knowing that the Atlantic slave trade was a holocaust for African people we must welcome that the name the Merchants Quarter has now been dropped.”
[The new name of the project will be revealed at a later date.
In this case I don’t think it’s political correctness gone too far, I think they have a good council there who realised the offence that this caused, I’m sure there will be a few that disagree with me.
The council, the opponents and the developers agree. A rarity?
I propose we call it Golliwog Quarter (just for a laugh) or Merchants Third. 8) :twisted:
How about the name ‘Dealers Patch’ – it has basically the same meaning but with different connotations!!!
How about calling it ”Bristol Cream”.
Do you drink it… or rub it in???
So was it a bunch of slaves that protested – surely we don;t have slaves in Bristol these days ! I know they are a bit behind the rest of the country but surely not that far !
Seriously though – what’s wrong with having a name – that shows how far we have progressed in a relatively short time
I don;t know any history on it but surely a lot of the people protesting wouldn’t even be in this country if their forefathers hadn’t been slavesDid this ever get built or was it a victim of the meltdown in the construction industry?
Yes the slave trade was horrific, however too many people forget it was largely self inflicted by the Africans themselves (who sold their own people to whoever would buy) and carries on to this day in the Arab quarter of the middle east. It was William Wilberforce (an Englishman) and many others who forced through legislation banning slavery, an incredible achievement as Britain was at war with France at the time and fighting for its survival. It was the Royal Navy that enforced the ban driving slavers out of business across the Atlantic. Too many remember the horror whilst forgetting the courage of those who put a stop to it.
As for a name, Merchants Quarter sounds just fine, I doubt it was only slaves who were sold and the professional “outraged in my name” people seem to forget this fact too. If they must go down this ridiculous politically correct path then I’d suggest the Wilberforce Quarter should keep most happy.As for a name, Merchants Quarter sounds just fine, I doubt it was only slaves who were sold and the professional “outraged in my name” people seem to forget this fact too.
I don’t think slaves were ever sold in Bristol, it was that the city of Bristol made a lot of money out of the slave trade in the colonies through its shipping companies carrying slaves from Africa to the West Indies.
In 1772 it was ruled that slavery was illegal in England and furthermore, it had been so since the end of the feudal system. At the time it was estimated there were between 10,000 and 14,000 possible ‘slaves’. Most of these people were domestic servants and were not necessarily of African origin but often local people who had drifted into a position of being totally ‘owned’ by someone else.
I’ve just had an inspirational moment…….
Why not call it ‘The Vicky Pollard Quarter’?
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