'Offensive' centre name changed

Some people claimed the new name was offensive

The controversial name for the £500m redevelopment of Broadmead in Bristol is to be changed.

Some groups had complained the name, Merchants' Quarter, was offensive because of its connotations with the city's slave trading past.

Bristol Alliance, which is behind the project, had argued merchants had played a crucial role in the story of the city.

But on Thursday Bristol Alliance announced the name would be changed.

Philip Vaughan, 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.

'Fantastic news'

"We would not wish the name of the development to cause offence to any individual or group."

On Wednesday Barbara Janke, Leader of Bristol City Council told the BBC: "I have been told the name has been dropped."

Simba Tongagara, a St Paul's Community worker told the BBC he was pleased with the decision.

"It is fantastic news for the African-Caribbean community," he said.

"It was a name that was offensive in terms of bringing a historical thing back into the present and has now been eroded."