News / Edward Colston
Familiar new name for former Colston Tower
Bristol now has at least two beacons, with the tower formerly known as Colston Tower renamed Beacon Tower looking down upon the former Colston Hall, now known as Bristol Beacon.
Twenty businesses based at the tower voted to rename the distinctive building, with Beacon Tower being chosen from a shortlist of four which also included Unity Tower, Vantage Point and Century Tower.
Despite now sharing its name with the concert hall, Bristol24/7 understands that Bristol Beacon bosses were not told about the tower’s new name before it was revealed.
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The tower’s owner worked alongside Clifton-based branding agency, Moose Studios, on the process.
It has been without a name since June, when all of its exterior signage was removed just four days after the statue of Edward Colston was toppled.
Colston Tower was designed in 1961 but not completed until 1973, with the clock added to the building in 1996.
The tower’s owners took the decision to take down the signage in June “to reduce and remove any immediate security threat to the building”.
A Bristol Music Trust spokeswoman told Bristol24/7: “It’s true, we weren’t consulted but are pleased to see that the name beacon is being embraced by others in the city.”
The former Colston Tower looks over the empty plinth on which the statue of Edward Colston used to stand – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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