Shepway council will change its name in April after more than 40 years to reflect Folkestone’s ‘growing international reputation’

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A council will spend £10,000 changing its name after more than 40 years because no one has ever heard of it.

As of 1 April, Shepway district council will be known as Folkestone and Hythe district council, the local authority has confirmed.

The change was proposed by council leader David Monk and supported by the majority of councillors who voted on the issue on Wednesday.

Monk said: “I regularly meet people who, after 40 years, still have no idea where Shepway is and for many years businesses have been complaining about the relevance of our name.

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“We needed a stronger geographical identity to support the district’s regeneration and reflect Folkestone’s growing international reputation – which benefits the whole district.

“The new name mirrors that of the parliamentary constituency and identifies the two main towns where nearly two-thirds of the population live.”

The council, which adopted its current name in 1974 when it absorbed former borough and rural councils, has set aside £10,000 to pay for the change but is not having a “major rebrand”.

A council spokeswoman said the changes to signage and branding would be made gradually, “as and when” repairs or replacements were necessary.