Many iconic landmarks in Yorkshire have been officially renamed over the years – but locals simply refuse to use their new names
Doncaster Sheffield Airport(Image: Copyright Unknown)
In a hypothetical situation, let’s imagine a landmark, which we’ll call ‘The Landmark’, that has obtained a new sponsor.
Under the terms of the deal, the sponsor, which we’ll refer to as ‘The Sponsor’, demands that ‘The Landmark’ be renamed ‘The Sponsor Landmark’. Despite the name lacking appeal and the fact it’s been recognised as ‘The Landmark’ for 200 years, it’s either embrace the alteration or face losing the sponsorship, exhausting available funds and potentially witnessing ‘The Landmark’ deteriorate.
In turn, ‘The Landmark’s marketing department creates fresh signage, promotional materials and a website, all at substantial expense. Nevertheless, while ‘The Sponsor’ can impose a name modification for ‘The Landmark’, they cannot control what residents or tourists decide to call it.
Consequently, numerous people persist in calling it ‘The Landmark’, much to ‘The Sponsor’s’ frustration. Some individuals even take matters further by vandalising the new signs, painting over the ‘Sponsor’ element.
Regardless, an agreement is an agreement. ‘The Sponsor’ meets its contractual commitment to pay ‘The Landmark’ the specified sum before swiftly withdrawing and trying to erase the entire experience, reports Yorkshire Live.
‘The Landmark’ subsequently returns to its original identity, once more at significant cost. This might appear an improbable situation, but in practice, sponsors and marketers typically maintain more pragmatic expectations. Below are several Yorkshire landmarks that are seldom called by their official names.
Arqiva Tower
Better known as: Emley Moor Mast.
Castle Hill & Emley Moor Mast lit up(Image: Adam Fazakerley/Full Frame Adventures)
Were you aware that the 319m communications tower is officially called the Arqiva Tower?
Most people weren’t. It’s generally known as Emley Moor Mast due to its function as a radio, TV and mobile phone transmitter, positioned on Emley Moor, roughly midway between Huddersfield and Wakefield.
This imposing structure, which looks remarkably like a streamlined, concrete version of the Eiffel Tower, is in fact the third incarnation of Emley Moor Mast. The initial 135m tower was succeeded by a 385m steel structure in 1964, which tragically came down in March 1969 owing to strong winds and substantial icicles on the supporting wires.
The present mast, commissioned in 1971, stands as Britain’s tallest freestanding structure. The public appears more interested in this distinction than its ownership.
Apologies, Arqiva.
City Park
Better known as: Centenary Square.
(Image: Shutterstock)
This six-acre public amenity next to Bradford Town Hall is formally called City Park. Nevertheless, Centenary Square is technically the area immediately before the town hall, yet the whole park is frequently called Centenary Square.
City Park, which formally launched in March 2012, features the Mirror Pool – the largest urban water feature in the UK – which has been jokingly nicknamed ‘Bradford Puddle’.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Better known as: Robin Hood Airport. This former airport, situated near the village of Finningley, South Yorkshire, was officially called Robin Hood Airport from 2005 to 2016. While Robin Hood is traditionally linked with Nottingham, there’s a possibility he may have hailed from Yorkshire.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport(Image: Copyright Unknown)
That is, if he was a real person at all.
The ex-RAF base, which was rebranded as Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) in 2016 despite being considerably nearer to Doncaster than Sheffield, was shut down by owners Peel Airports six years later after becoming commercially unviable.
First Direct Arena
Better known as: Leeds Arena
Leeds Arena, officially called the First Direct Arena since opening its doors in 2013, is a 13,781-capacity venue situated in the city centre. The building, which looks like a hybrid between a honeycomb and a flying saucer, takes its name from its sponsor, online bank First Direct.
Nevertheless, locals generally call it Leeds Arena, much to First Direct’s frustration.
Granary Wharf
Better known as: The Dark Arches
This location is a labyrinth of brick arches crossing the River Aire, Neville Street and Swinegate. Built in the 1860s to hold up the railway station overhead, Granary Wharf actually refers to the wharf adjacent to the arches.
Regardless, Leeds locals persistently call them the Dark Arches, no matter how many strip lights are fitted.
HMP Leeds
Better known as: Armley
This represents another instance of a location whose official designation is frequently disregarded in favour of a more informal name. Leeds residents seldom use the official name HMP Leeds when referring to the city’s prison. The facility, which first opened as Leeds Borough Gaol in 1847, was swiftly rechristened Armley Gaol to clarify its location for those not familiar with the locality.
The prison, situated off Canal Street in Armley, remains known simply as ‘Armley’, similar to how HMP Manchester is still called Strangeways.
HMP New Hall
Also known as: Flockton
HMP New Hall, also known as Flockton, is a women’s prison positioned between Huddersfield and Wakefield. It is frequently called Flockton, taking its name from the adjacent village.
New Hall started life in 1933 as a halfway house for HMP Wakefield prisoners approaching the conclusion of their sentences. In 1961, it converted into a boys’ borstal before transforming into a young offenders’ institute (YOI) during the 1980s.
Currently, it accommodates female prisoners ranging from persistent petty criminals to murderers, including serial killer Rosemary West.
HMP Wakefield
Also known as: Monster Mansion
(Image: Anders Hanson/Flickr – CC BY-SA 2.0 )
This top security prison holds Britain’s most dangerous criminals, including serial killers, gangsters, and high-risk sex offenders, some of whom will never be released.
Constructed on the site of a 16th-century house of corrections, the existing building, finished in 1849, was formerly a standard prison holding all categories of criminal.
Utilita Arena
Better known as: Sheffield Arena Sheffield Arena has gone through numerous name changes since it first opened its doors in 1991, having officially carried the name Sheffield Arena on four separate occasions. Its various other titles have been dictated by sponsorship deals, including Hallam FM Arena (2002 to 2007), Motorpoint Arena (2010 to 2015) and FlyDSA Arena (2017 to 2021).
At present, it carries the name of its sponsor, gas and electricity provider Utilita Energy, though it’s unlikely that many people use this name in everyday conversation.
Woodhouse Moor
Better known as: Hyde Park
Situated a mile north of Leeds city centre, this area comprises Woodhouse Moor Park and a predominantly Victorian residential neighbourhood known as Hyde Park.
Despite its official title, locals almost universally refer to the entire area simply as Hyde Park.
Yorkshire Wolds Railway
Also known as: Malton Dodger
(Image: Ian3055/Wikipedia)
The Yorkshire Wolds Railway, widely referred to as the Malton Dodger, is a railway line stretching from Driffield in East Yorkshire to Malton in North Yorkshire. Officially christened the Malton and Driffield Junction Railway during its construction in 1849, the company responsible for the line was teetering on the edge of financial collapse.
In a bid to cut costs, the route was reduced in length and stations were constructed up to three miles from the villages they were intended to serve. Consequently, disgruntled passengers gave this far-from-convenient service the nickname the Malton Dodger. Although the line shut down in 1958, it was revived as the Yorkshire Wolds Railway in 2015, yet the nickname Malton Dodger has endured. Indeed, the firm behind this popular tourist destination operates under the name Malton Dodger Ltd.
Yorkshire Live has launched Explore Yorkshire, which will look at Yorkshire’s unique identity and destinations and celebrate God’s Own County for what it is – the best place in the world. Whether you are looking for a day out, a weekend away or to try somewhere new, Explore Yorkshire is here to help. Our brilliant new newsletter will bring all of this content together for you in one place – sign up here to get it direct to your inbox.