River Thames pier renamed over slavery links
A River Thames pier called 'Plantation Wharf' has been renamed after anti-racism campaigners said that it was linked to slavery.
The wharf in Wandsworth, south London, will now be known as 'St Mary's Wandsworth Pier' after the local Labour MP said it was 'highly offensive'.
The pier was named after an adjoining housing development called Plantation Wharf.
The site was built on a former sugar refinery by Iain Shearer, the millionaire dockland developer in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The development also includes a series of British Empire-themed names, including Cotton Row, Spice Court and Ivory Square.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, which owns the pier, renamed it on Monday after a backlash from anti-racism campaigners.
Marsha de Cordova, the Labour MP for Battersea, said the pier's former name had made 'a mockery of the violent history of chattel enslavement'.
She said: 'The term 'plantation' carries highly offensive connotations, does not serve the wonderful diversity of Battersea's residents and makes a mockery of the violent history of chattel enslavement.
'Having campaigned for Thames Clippers to change the pier's name, I am pleased this has been achieved. It marks an important step forward in how we structure our public spaces.'
Rachelle Ferron, a fellow campaigner and the head of entertainment at ITV's Good Morning Britain, said the pier had previously been 'a shameful signpost to slavery'.
She said: 'While advocating for Plantation Rum to rebrand in 2022, I was taken aback to learn about Plantation Wharf on the world-renowned River Thames, which stood as a shameful signpost to slavery.
'Uber Boat by Thames Clippers inherited the name from a neighbouring development, which continues to brand its bricks with references to the transatlantic slave trade.
'I am pleased that Uber Boat by Thames Clippers listened and led the way by renaming its pier to St Mary's Wandsworth, which is much more appropriate for our times and diverse city.'
Ms de Cordova and Ms Ferron have now called for Plantation Wharf Management Ltd, which manages the housing development, to follow suit. Other colonial-themed names at the development include Molasses Row, Calico House and Cinnamon Row.
Vanessa Brady, the chairman of the estate's board of directors, said residents would be consulted on changing its name.
Ms Brady said: 'It is not a simple process, but we will continue to consult with residents to see if they agree to pay for the costs incurred in changing the name and indeed if they want to change their name.
'We can only consult and then act on the wishes of the leaseholders. Another idea would be to receive a fund from the Mayor's office to pay for it.'
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers said: 'From April 7, Plantation Wharf Pier will be known as St Mary's Wandsworth following productive talks with house/boat residents, with the pier's signage being updated to reflect the change.
'The updated pier name will appear in our new Uber Boat by Thames Clippers timetable and route map, which comes into effect on the same day as the official name change.'
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