The second largest archive service in the UK will change its name next month, in order to attract new visitors and clarify the nature of its extensive collections.

London Metropolitan Archives, which is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation, will drop ‘Metropolitan’ from its name and from Monday 5 August, it will become known as The London Archives.

The decision to rebrand LMA follows analysis of feedback from workshops and surveys with potential users, some of whom thought that the Islington-based service could be holding the records of only the Metropolitan Police, London Metropolitan University, or London Underground’s Metropolitan Line. 

It also became clear, said LMA staff, that the word 'metropolitan' had fallen out of everyday use, was not commonly understood or well defined, and did not help explain what LMA could offer, both, to researchers who were interested in using the service, or to new visitors.

The archives’ reopening as The London Archives will be celebrated by a free display, ‘Magna Carta and King John’, featuring two of the most iconic documents in the archives’ collections: London’s Magna Carta (1297) and ‘the mayoralty charter’ of King John, issued in the same year (1215) as the first issue of Magna Carta. It will be the first time that London’s Magna Carta has been on public display at The London Archives (or LMA).

The King John charter required the Lord Mayor of the City of London to be presented to the sovereign for approval and take an oath of loyalty and now, the Lord Mayor’s Show, which takes place every year in November, is a key part of the process of presenting or showing the Lord Mayor. 

With over 100km of books, maps, photographs, films and documents dating back to 1067 held in its strong rooms, London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) records the history of the capital, preserving and sharing the stories of Londoners, businesses, charities, hospitals, schools, community groups, and many others.

The archives’ most significant documents and collections include:

·       William Charter (c.1067) - the oldest document held in the City Corporation’s archives

·       Magna Carta (1297)

·       ‘mayoralty charter’ of King John (1215)

·       a property deed for a house in Blackfriars, bearing William Shakespeare’s authenticated signature (c.1613)

·       some of the first recorded photographs (‘Daguerreotypes’) taken of London (1840s/1850s)

·       maps showing bomb damage to London during the Second World War

·       the UK’s largest collection of filmed interviews with people affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic of the 1980/1990s

The team at Cog Design met staff at LMA to discuss the service’s unique offer, and to overcome the challenge of the archives being perceived as ‘hidden’ or requiring permission to enter.

The new brand, says the agency, aims to evoke a sense of openness, curiosity, and inquisitiveness, empowering visitors to fill gaps in their knowledge.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Munsur Ali, said:

“London Metropolitan Archives is one of our most popular services, valued by everyone who uses it and of incalculable importance to London, the UK, and internationally, for how it collects, cares for, and preserves a huge range of items for the benefit of future generations.

“By changing its name to The London Archives, developing and launching a website, and hosting engaging schools and events programmes, it will enjoy a new lease of life as a more clearly defined and accessible service with a bold visual identity.”

Emma Burr, Design Lead at Cog Design said:

“It has been a pleasure to work with a team that was willing to be challenged, and trusted us to bring the new brand to life.”

The City of London Corporation is one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK, investing over £130m every year. The organisation manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, London Metropolitan Archives, and Keats House. It also supports the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For further details, images, and requests for interviews with the Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Munsur Ali; and Emma Burr, Design Lead at Cog Design, please contact Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer (Arts, Culture, Heritage, Licensing), City of London Corporation / 07795 333060 / andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation, which owns and manages London Metropolitan Archives, is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK –  www.cityoflondon.gov.uk