Young Reporter readers invited to rename Dewsbury’s Princess of Wales Precinct

Property company Ravenhill Estates, Batley and Dewsbury Towns Management and Kirklees Council are running a contest to re-brand the Princess of Wales Precinct.

The Dewsbury Reporter is backing the competition to dream up a new name and logo for the centre – which will appear on the buildings and publicity material. The competition is open to anyone between the age of five and 19 who is in education and lives in the Dewsbury district.

The winner will receive £150 and will be revealed at the Dewsbury Christmas lights switch-on, on Friday, November 24.

Batley and Dewsbury towns manager Andrew Sloman said: “The centre’s owners, Ravenhill Estates, decided it was time to refresh the image of the precinct in order to attract new investment.

“We looked at ways of doing this and decided to involve young people, in order to give them a sense of ownership and help confirm Dewsbury as a town which welcomes families.”

Coun Cathy Scott, cabinet member for investment and housing, said: “The shopping centre was built in 1983 and has been home to some of the most popular and best-loved businesses in Dewsbury ever since.

“When Ravenhill told us about their plans to give the landmark centre a brand-new name and branding to bring it into the 21st century, we thought who better than tomorrow’s shoppers to help design the new look and feel?”

Letters have been sent to 27 local schools inviting them to get their pupils involved, but independent entries will be welcomed from anyone meeting the age and residential criteria.

Editor of the Dewsbury Reporter Hannah Ridgeway said: “We’re delighted our readers have been asked to be part of this scheme to lift the town’s shopping centre into the 21st century. Driving past on the ring road you would not even know these shops were there.

“A new name, a new image and some new signs will make a difference. We hope it will be a boost to the shopping centre and encourage new shoppers and new retailers to come in.”

The winning design, which can be in any media, will be developed by a professional agency but the essential features will be retained. Information packs are available from the Batley and Dewsbury Towns Management website at www.batleyanddewsbury.co.uk

The closing date for entries is Monday, October 29. They can be sent to Batley and Dewsbury Towns Management, Dewsbury Town Hall, Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury WF12 ODG, or e-mailed to [email protected] or dropped off at the Reporter offices at 17, Wellington Road, Dewsbury.