The University of Bristol is considering renaming seven buildings that all honour donors with links to the transatlantic slave trade. Landmark buildings like the Wills Memorial Building and Goldney Hall, which have both been the subject of renaming campaigns in the past, are part of a newly-launched public consultation led by the university.
The Fry Building, Merchant Venturers Building, HH Wills Physics Laboratories, Wills Hall and Dame Monica Wills Chapel make up the rest of the seven. Staff, students and the wider community of Bristol are being asked to share their thoughts on what should happen, with answers collected via an online consultation running from today (Tuesday, November 22) until December 19.
It wants to hear people's opinions and says no decision has been made at this point, and that it "is open to hearing all views before taking any next steps". The consultation follows a campaign by some staff and students, including members of the University and College Union who have called for the university "to complete the decolonisation and ‘de-Colstonisation’ of its buildings and logo".
