Eastleigh Borough Council truly surprised many borough residents today, with this tweet:
“Eastleigh’s new leisure centre has been officially named as…”
The name is… Places Leisure Eastleigh.
Why, oh why?
Eastleigh Borough Council, are we supposed to be excited about this name for our state-of-the art facility?
“A name has been chosen for Eastleigh’s superb new £25 million sports, health and fitness venue as part of a trailblazing naming rights deal.
The state-of-the art facility, that replaces Fleming Park Leisure Centre, will be called Places Leisure Eastleigh.”
Eastleigh Borough Council: Name unveiled for Eastleigh’s new leisure centre
I’m no marketing and branding expert, but I don’t find Places the most charming name for our leisure facilities. What’s wrong with the original name, Fleming Park? EBC, did you conduct any survey for the best name? Did you speak to anyone at all? Did you try?
Surely I can’t be the only one who is baffled by this new name.
What’s your reaction?
Eastleigh's new leisure centre has been officially named as… https://t.co/WL6IZgEBgx pic.twitter.com/abrtLRfbKR
— Eastleigh Borough (@EastleighBC) September 7, 2017
I agree, Janet. The choice of name is ghastly and unimaginative, which is a real shame as I like the design of the new leisure centre. Also everyone locally knows the place as Fleming Park. I thought it would have made much more sense to keep the link. Oh well…
I agree too ! I am sure most of us locals will just say the new Flemming Park !
I can never understand when a well known place has to change its name as most people won’t know that it has a new name unless they go there and see the signs. Fair enough the builders want some recognition for their portfolio/ history but why not maybe Flemming Park Places ? or something along those lines ?
I remember when approx 15 years ago The Potters Heron hotel ‘s new owners decided to call it The Corus ( not sure of the spelling ) as I believe it was part of the Corus Hotel chain . Even if they had called it The Corus Potters Heron I could have understood as most people around the area know the hotel even if they haven’t been in it as its on the main road and is a bit of a landmark apart from anything else !
The name makes no sense. “leisure place(s)” would at least be grammatically correct.
Just call it. ‘The Park Leisure Centre’. says what it is , a leisure centre on the park , simple.
It sounds as though it is a commercial centre; Places’ Leisure *pause* Eastleigh (Branch). Not a fan.
Places Leisure Eastleigh
Eastleigh Leisure Places
Leisure Places Eastleigh
Leisure Eastleigh Places
Places Eastleigh Leisure
Only the second and third make sense but are numbingly bland. The others do not, so move on to something else. To borrow a phrase from something equally mind numbing “Eastleigh Borough Council; nul points.”
It is an awful descision to change the name of a much loved local public venue. The public should decide if they would like a new name, not the company building it. This company are making a huge profit at the expense of tax payers, why should they forever have their commercial name on our building.
A great point, Sara. The new name has no soul. What a dreadful decision.