Clive Bull 1am - 4am
Nottingham Building Society's 'inclusive' rebrand? A load of nonsense
10 October 2024, 15:30 | Updated: 10 October 2024, 17:55
Growing up in Nottingham it was impossible to escape the legend that surrounds its most famous folk hero.
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From Maid Marian Way, to a brewery logo and the world famous statue which stands proudly outside the city's castle. Robin Hood was inescapable.
Yes, other towns (most notably Wakefield) try to claim him, but he was a son of Nottingham. The heroic outlaw who alongside his band of merry men took the fight to the evil Sheriff...and won.
A charismatic and defiant defender of the poor, Robin Hood continues to inspire and entertain new generations to this day.
But not bosses at Nottingham Building Society. Rather than use him as an inspiration, they seem determined to ignore heritage because someone who 'robbed from the rich to give to the poor' doesn't reflect the firm's 'financial diversity'
And what have they picked instead of an image of the world famous folk hero?
A squiggle on the letter N. I kid you not. I dread to think what it cost.
Nottingham Building Society says this is an "inclusive" rebrand.
Nonsense.
This logo means absolutely nothing. It doesn't stand out or say anything about Nottingham.
Hollywood, it seems, has a higher regard for the legendary outlaw then some people in Nottingham.
Take Sherwood Forest for example, a few years ago I visited with my young son with the forlorn hope of a fun day in the forest learning the legend and the stories of Robin Hood.
There was nothing about the folk legends, no build up to the Major Oak, and the shop was largely full of stuff about sustainability.
He found it boring and frankly so did I. Now he mostly associates Sherwood Forest with horse poo from the bridleways!
But back to Nottingham Building Society.
I urge them to reconsider. Robin Hood is a folk legend.
You could argue that he gang including Maid Marian, Friar Tuck and Little John were trying to help the less fortunate.
Isn't that a good thing for a financial institution to adhere to.