Bristol tower renamed by ‘end of the year’

A tower block in Bristol named after 17th Century slave trader Edward Colston will be renamed by the end of the year, its owners have said.

It came after protesters pulled down a statue of the merchant in the city centre during a Black Lives Matter demonstration.

Changes have also been announced for Colston’s Girl’s School and the Colston Hall, now called Bristol Beacon.

Investment firm AEW, which owns the high-rise block on Colston Street, said: “Having taken the time to carefully review our options regarding the future naming of the building, we will be consulting with our tenants over the coming weeks with a view to having a new name by the end of the year.”

Since Colston’s statue was toppled and thrown into Bristol’s harbour, the city has been examining its historical links with the slave trade.

On his death in 1721, Colston bequeathed his wealth to charities in the city. As a result, many of the city’s street names and landmarks bear his name.