Shopping centre's name could be changed once again

A shopping centre has applied for its third name change, less than two years after its previous rebrand.

Frasers Group has submitted documents to Luton Borough Council as part of its plans to rename Luton Point as Frasers Plus Luton.

The centre opened as the Arndale Centre in 1972. It was renamed The Mall Luton in 2006 and became Luton Point in July 2024.

A Frasers spokesperson said if the change were approved it would be "a naming update only, with no changes to day-to-day operations, opening hours or how people shop".

The site was bought by Frasers, which is owned by Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley, in 2023 for £58m.

The spokesperson continued: "We've submitted a standard application to update the name of Luton Point to Frasers Plus Luton, aligning the centre with the Frasers Group brand and ongoing strategy of investing in and revitalising physical retail destinations across the UK.

"Frasers Group remains committed to investing in Frasers Plus Luton and the Luton community, ensuring it remains a vibrant, welcoming retail destination for all."

For more than 30 years, the shopping centre was known as the Arndale Centre – a name still used by many locals to this day.

When former England player Jack Wilshere took on the role of manager at Luton Town, he told the BBC that while growing up in Hitchin it "was a treat when I was kid to come to Luton and go to... I think it's called the Arndale".

In nearby Watford, the shopping centre was renamed twice in a decade before "overwhelming feedback" forced its owners to return it to its original name of Harlequin.

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