A BROMYARD councillor feels like the town could be being "blackmailed" over a £90,000 project which has seen controversial branding used despite being ditched.

Bromyard hit national headlines when it was suggested the town rebrand itself with a backwards D – but the town council told consultants to only use it on merchandise after the huge backlash to the "edgy" idea that looked like a "spelling mistake".

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Despite that, the backwards D, which comes from the measurement device the Bromyard bushel, has appeared on painted murals and bricks lay between Cruxwell Street and the Tenbury Road car park.

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When debating whether to approve the final invoices of the £90,000 project, funded by the central government, Coun Gill Churchill sighed and said it felt like Bromyard and Winslow Town Council was "being blackmailed".

New bricks at the side of the Bromyard Centre in Cruxwell Street, as part of the Destination Bromyard project

New bricks at the side of the Bromyard Centre in Cruxwell Street, as part of the Destination Bromyard project

"I know the money was there, and I know we were supposed to consult with whoever we were, but the numbers on there are astronomical," she said as the town council agreed to pay the invoices.

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Later in the meeting, Coun Churchill said the backwards D was "still appearing everywhere" despite the council voting against using it for anything other than merchandise.

During the consultant stage before the backwards D was scrapped, consultants Nifty Communications said comments ranged from "gimmickish and lacks impact" and "dumbarse idea of a backwards D", to "great to see fresh ideas" and "attractive and comprehensive".

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One comment scalded the council, saying: "Clueless would be a word that springs to mind about those in the council if they believe a backwards D is a good idea.

"Also are they aware it that can't be copied on a standard keyboard do difficult to replicate in any written documents or signage."

Consultants at the time said it would be used on things such as hoodies and mugs, with Wye Valley Brewery also making a special beer with the same name.

They included £1,500 to Foodscapes for running the monthly market, with the company owned by the wife of K4 Architect's Bob Ghosh – a major consultant on the Great Places to Visit project which aims to improve the town for locals and visitors.

 

A mural painted on the wall of the Bromyard Centre in Cruxwell Street, as part of the £90,000 Destination Bromyard project

A mural painted on the wall of the Bromyard Centre in Cruxwell Street, as part of the £90,000 Destination Bromyard project

 

A total of £22,477.20 had to be paid to Printed Banners & Signs Ltd for making tourist signs for the town centre and another £19,800 to JMS Roofing & Building Ltd to install them.

There was also another £4,347 for signwriting and artwork, with murals appearing in the subway under the A44 Bromyard bypass, the wall of the leisure centre in Cruxwell Street and the Queen's Arms alleyway.

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Coun Mark Franklin said the town council had no choice to pay the invoices, and if they were not paid by the end of the September, the Government money would have to be returned and the bills would have to be paid from the council's own funds.

The council paid the invoices, with Coun Churchill voting not to and Coun Barry Quantrill abstaining.

There has also been criticism from locals over the lack of consultation on the Great Places to Visit project, but Rose Regeneration, which is involved in the bid, said it had consulted more than it was required to by the funding guidelines.

Guidelines also stipulated what the money could and could not be spent on, with a focus on sprucing the town up and enticing tourists.

Once plans were drawn up by the project team, which include a revamped civic garden, new signage for visitors around the town and more artwork, they were presented to the public.