LONDON (Reuters) - A group of witches and wizards based in
central England said on Monday they had forced developers to change
the name of a new multi-million pound shopping mall because it
clashed with their own moniker.
Property firm Hammerson had intended to name the 350 million pound
shopping centre it is building in Leicester, "Highcross
Quarter".
But that provoked the ire of a local coven of Wiccans, witches and
wizards who use the name because it refers to a special date in the
pagan calendar.
The coven had also set up a number of Web sites "to break through
the ignorance and misunderstanding, prejudice and stigma often
attached to Wicca, witchcraft and earth oriented belief systems"
using the High Cross Quarter name.
The witches said on their Web site that, following a year-long
dispute, the developers had now backed down and agreed to call
their new project "Highcross Leicester".
"It was our only wish all along, to be left in peace to develop our
Web site and maintain the aspirations for faith and of our simple
way of life," said the group's spokeswoman who called herself
Morrigan Wisecraft.
"It is our expectation that as a 'big' company, Hammerson Plc will
now be big in the way it concedes to us, a small local alternative
faith group, and that we can draw a line under this whole
matter."
In a statement released to the media, Hammerson did not say whether
it had changed its mind because of the row with the witches and
wizards.
"Initially, Highcross Quarter was used to describe the development
to potential new retailers and to our city centre partners in
recognition of the wider city regeneration," said Richard Brown,
senior development executive at Hammerson.
"It has now evolved to Highcross Leicester, which we believe will
give it a stronger identity for customers and raise the profile not
only of the development but also the city."
