More councils get ready for unitary status

A further batch of local councils in England and Wales is approaching local designers to come up with new identities in preparation for unitary status.

Many councils are planning a name change, some back to the name they had before the 1974 local government reorganisation.

Thamesdown, which is to revert to its old name of Swindon, is already getting into gear for the change in status to come into effect from 1 April 1997.

Designer Martin Warnes is due to present three identity designs for Swindon Borough Council this week, one of which will be chosen for a phased implementation from late autumn.

“This was an opportune time to review the name and council identity,” says a spokesman for Thamesdown.

And the new unitary authority of Bath & North East Somerset has a marque (pictured) created by Bath consultancy Roger Simmons Design. The authority has been created by the merger of Bath City and Wansdyke District Councils.

Queensberry Hunt Levien has designed Ideal Standard’s new bath- room range. Robin Levien, who was responsible for the designs, says the concept reflects pure, clean lines. ‘The bathroom market is now split half and half between retro and contemporary design, and this range underlines Ideal Standard’s continuing commitment to modern design. It’s their most important launch for ten years,’ comments Levien. Called Kyomi, the range comprises eleven vitreous china pieces, two baths and a range of accessories. Oddly, the Japanese sounding name doesn’t mean anything. ‘We decided to give it a name which could be synonymous with a successful bathroom range. I don’t think it means anything,’ says Levien.