A pier on the River Thames in western London has been rebranded as St Mary’s Wandsworth following pressure from anti-racism activists.
Previously referred to as Plantation Wharf Pier, the pier is situated between Wandsworth Riverside Quarter and Chelsea Harbour piers.
In 2019, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers took over the site and has since engaged in discussions with local stakeholders and residents regarding the name change, prompted by public outcry in 2021.
The original name, Plantation Wharf Pier, came from an adjacent residential and commercial development with the same title, but critics linked it to colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.
Labour MP Marsha de Cordova had earlier urged the nearby Plantation Wharf housing development to also consider renaming, labeling it as insensitive.
Developers are currently in the middle of a consultation aimed at examining the names associated with the residential area, which remains ongoing.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers declared that the new name for the pier came into effect on Monday following discussions with both local residents and boat users. The signage at the pier has been updated to reflect this change.
“The revised name will feature in our new Uber Boat by Thames Clippers timetable and route map, effective the same day as the official renaming,” stated the company.
Vanessa Brady, chair of Plantation Wharf Management Ltd’s board, expressed that while the housing estate is open to renaming, the process is more complex.
“For the estate, this isn’t a reluctance to negotiate; as a private property, any alterations require funding from the residents,” she explained. “It’s not a straightforward matter, but we will keep consulting with residents to gauge their willingness to cover the costs of changing the name, as well as their desire to actually make the change.”
“We can only seek input from leaseholders and act according to their preferences. Another option could be obtaining funding assistance from the mayor’s office for this purpose.”
De Cordova praised the pier’s renaming as a significant advancement. “The term ‘plantation’ carries deeply offensive implications, does not reflect the rich diversity of Battersea’s community, and trivializes the brutal history of slavery,” she stated.
“Having campaigned for Thames Clippers to rename the pier, I am pleased to see this happen. It signifies an important stride in the way we shape our public spaces.”
She urged the developers of Plantation Wharf to consider a similar name change, expressing disappointment at their lack of action so far.
“I encourage them to reflect on how a new name could align better with our community values and the shared principles of Battersea,” she added.
One of the early voices against the name was Rachelle Ferron, ITV’s head of entertainment. In 2021, after visiting an Ivy restaurant that served Plantation rum, Ferron walked past the housing complex and pier and was struck by what she described as a disturbing normalization of slavery references.
She later penned an opinion piece in The Guardian, calling for both the restaurant group and the Plantation Wharf developers to change their names.
Following Ferron’s advocacy, the Ivy removed all Plantation rum offerings from its venues, and Maison Ferrand rebranded the drink last year. In turn, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has modified the pier’s name.
Ferron welcomed the renaming as a progressive move. “While promoting the rebranding of Plantation Rum in 2022, I was surprised to discover Plantation Wharf on the iconic River Thames, which served as an embarrassing reminder of slavery. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers inherited this name from an adjacent development, which continues to have ties to the transatlantic slave trade,” she remarked.
“I am delighted that Uber Boat by Thames Clippers took this initiative and changed the name to St Mary’s Wandsworth, which is far more fitting for our modern and diverse city. I genuinely hope this inspires Plantation Wharf Management Ltd to make a similar change.”
