There has been a renaming of a tram in Nottingham with 230 now carrying the name after Beeston-born designer Sir Paul Smith. This was a renaming for the tram with it having previously been named George Green (a British mathematical physicist who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries).
The naming has been done in celebration of Sir Paul’s career which spans more than 50 years, following the opening of his first ever 3×3 metre store in Nottingham in 1970 and has since grown to include more than 130 shops across the world.
Sir Paul Smith commented: “Coming back home to Nottingham is always a joy and especially for the honour of having a tram named after you. This city is where it all began for me and my career, and I feel incredibly lucky to be recognised in this way. I’m proud to say my business still employs a lot of people in Nottingham, I hope they and all those living in or visiting the city enjoy taking a ride on my tram and exploring all it has to offer.”
He has become a trailblazing British designer whose work influences both fashion and popular culture. His colourful Signature Stripe design is now instantly recognisable and features heavily in his own fashion house as well as locally. In 2013 he designed the tie for Beeston Fields school and in 2006 Nottingham’s Broadway Cinema opened a Paul Smith Auditorium, filled with striped seats.
Alison Sweeney, Head of Marketing at NET, said: “Naming our trams has always been a fantastic way for us to honour the success of people from our city, and Sir Paul Smith is the perfect candidate for this high accolade.
“His creative contribution is truly something to be celebrated and even now, 50 years since launching his career, The Paul Smith Willoughby House flagship store is a key part of Nottingham’s retail offering.
“As such a key part of Nottingham life, we know how important it is for us to ensure that each of our trams reflect local people who have gone on to achieve brilliant things, and we understand the importance of this practice to the city. We’re continuing to review our renaming process and are excited to share further plans on this in the upcoming months.”
Sorry, but I don’t understand the renaming of Trams, or for that matter any transport vehicle. Once it has a name it should have that name for it’s lifetime (In my opinion)!
I agree. In many ways it is a slight on the previously honoured individual.