Coven claims shops name victory

The coven said the web name dispute is still ongoing

A coven of witches is claiming to have forced a property developer to change the name of a major shopping centre.

Hammerson Plc had planned to call the £350m complex it is building in Leicester Highcross Quarter.

But a coven of witches based in the county already had a series of websites using the name, which they said is an important date in the Pagan calendar.

Hammerson has not commented directly but said the new name, Highcross Leicester, was a business "evolution".

The redevelopment of the centre, previously known as The Shires, had been planned for a number of years but Hammerson had been using Highcross Quarter for a year.

'Stronger identity'

The coven claimed Hammerson had offered to buy their domain names and had threatened legal action.

The group's spokeswoman, Morrigan Wisecraft, said: "It was our only wish all along, to be left in peace to develop our website and maintain the aspirations for faith and of our simple way of life.

"It is our expectation that as a 'big' company, Hammerson Plc will now be big in the way it concedes to us, a small local alternative faith group, and that we can draw a line under this whole matter."

But the group said they had not received any written confirmation the dispute over the website name had been ended.

In a statement released to the media, Hammerson said: "Initially, Highcross Quarter was used to describe the development to potential new retailers and to our city centre partners in recognition of the wider city regeneration.

"It has now evolved to Highcross Leicester, which we believe will give it a stronger identity for customers and raise the profile not only of the development but also the city."