THERE has been mixed reaction to Wrexham Glyndwr University’s proposed name change.

Last week the Local Democracy Reporting service reported that Wrexham’s university is considering dropping ‘Glyndwr’ from its name to become Wrexham University / Prifysgol Wrecsam as part of a potential re-brand.

It would be a significant change for the university, which along with Wrexham Council, Transport for Wales, the Welsh Government and Wrexham AFC, is a key partner in the Wrexham Gateway Project, a major civic plan to redevelop the Mold Road area of the city.

Internally staff and students have already been given the opportunity to have their say on the proposal, and there has also been widespread reaction to it online through social media comments.

Some commenters have questioned the potential move to drop a part of the institution’s name which has been in place since it was granted university status in 2008 and pays tribute to a historic Welsh figure.

Sam La Roche said: “Rebranding is just changing the wrapper. It is Glyndwr Wrecsam/Wrexham. Not difficult! No one says 'oh no' I don't know who Sir John Moores is, so I won't go there!”

Gwenda Parry Strong added: “People identify Wrexham University now by the name Glyndwr University if you change the name yet again you lose its identity again. It is an apt name for the area and should not be changed.”

Other commenters believe that a change of name would make sense for the university, as it seeks to broaden its appeal further afield.

Lynda Roberts said: “It’s a university in Wrexham so should be called Wrexham University.”

Referring to the Hollywood star owners of Wrexham AFC, Paul Jones said: “Given Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken over Wrexham Football Club, ‘Wrexham’ is the increasingly global brand. So it makes sense.”

Sheelagh MacKenzie Jones added: “I think calling it Wrecsam University would make it belong to the town more. Especially if it’s going to be a part of the gateway to Wrexham.”

Explaining the reasons for considering the change, last week a Wrexham Glyndwr university spokesman said: “Following internal discussions we are testing the waters for a name change of the university by consulting with staff, students and external stakeholders.

“Renaming the university to ‘Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University’ would help streamline marketing and strengthen our brand and identity.oogle Street View

“The university is proud to be located in Wrexham – a place which is developing, recently acquired city status, came runner-up in the UK City of Culture 2025 bid and has ambitious investment and regeneration schemes which we are part of.

“The straightforward coupling of place + university is the most effective way to reach audiences and is replicated across the higher education sector in the UK.

“Being renamed as ‘Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University’ would enable us to communicate the university name more easily to students and other stakeholders nationally and internationally. We will also continue to celebrate the Owain Glyndwr legacy and will be drawing up separate plans for this.”