Global Mutual, the owners of the large shopping centre in Watford since last year, is proposing renaming it Atria Watford.

It has been named Intu Watford since 2013. However, it was called The Harlequin Centre from 1990 until 2013.

The Harlequin is what the majority of people in Watford and the surrounding area still refer to it as. The name reflects the centre's location on Queens Road, adjacent to Kings Street and next to the Palace Theatre. Indeed this is what the car parks are still named as. This name was selected after a competition was held locally.

We urge Global Mutual to scrap the Atria Watford name and instead bring back the Harlequin brand, perhaps as Harlequin Watford. Given the instability in the retail sector, this name would anchor the shopping centre in a strong and ready to go brand.

Intu Uxbridge has recently reverted to its original name and will be known as Chimes Uxbridge, so there is scope for calling the centre Harlequin Watford.