Todmorden Finds Unifying Identity!

There is much anecdotal evidence of how Todmorden is perceived by outsiders and how Todmordians perceive themselves. The former often refers to Todmorden as a place that “knows what it doesn’t want but also doesn’t know what it actually wants”. Internally there appears to be a distrust of outside agencies imposing solutions on the town’s needs. But on the other hand you will hear “we are the forgotten town”. There also seems to have been a perception that there was a lack of unity in the town creating a constant barrier to agreeing progress.

In view of this perceived or real absence of unity we set about trying to create a universal and unifying town brand that would provide some kind of collective pride in what the town has to offer in terms of a place to live, work, trade and visit. The aim to be a Launchpad for collective positivity about the town.

In January 2019 we organised and led a workshop in collaboration with Todmorden Information Centre and Calderdale Tourism. This was called “DestinationTOD” and was designed to firstly look at the successes* of the previous year and how to build on them. And secondly to see if we could find a unifying identity for the town that we could all get behind to use in collectively promoting the town. The workshop was attended by almost all of the key organisations in the town, including the Town Council, Todmorden Civic Pride, Incredible Edible, Todconnect, the TIC and the College.

The unifying identity came to fruition during this workshop with the selection of the inspired theme “There is MORe in TodMORden”. From this was created a branding that everyone in town can use in the various media they use to promote their activities organisations and or businesses. Many are already using this brand. And it was used on Covid-19 Safety packs.

The Town Council funded the production of the promotional film and the MORe in TodMORden branding was launched in the Riverside Room at our Bellholme site in September 2019.

The business network group on in the town ‘Todconnect’ has undertaken the lead on promoting the branding. For local organisations and businesses, and printers, the instructions on how to use the brand can be found here.

With the opportunity for the town to draw down up to £25 million from the Government’s town fund this is the obvious unifying town identity brand for promoting unity of purpose, in any regeneration or rejuvenation of civic structures and pride of place projects.

Such as:

• Best Small Indoor Market award
• Great British High Street Award
• Incredible Festival of Ideas
• Todmorden Book Festival