A local council has sparked fury after spending £25,000 to change the city's much-loved museum's name by just one word.

Chelmsford Museum will now be known as the Museum of Chelmsford following an ongoing revamp, which includes more than £12,000 in consulting fees.

Just over £25,000 from a £28,000 budget has been spent on the rebrand, EssexLive has revealed.

The name change, which only adds "of" and switches the ordering, comes after chiefs held 31 meetings on the rebrand.

An Essex Council has sparked fury after spending £25k to change an iconic museum's name by one word

Chelmsford City Council explained that the museum’s community groups, staff and volunteers helped decide the controversial plans that "reflects the museum's future ambitions".

As part of the identity changes costs, more than £8,000 will be spent on signage, £400 has been spent on new uniforms and around £300 on new business cards.

Members of the public will be charged £20 for an individual membership or £30 for a joint membership that allows the visitor to bring a second adult for free.

Local opposition leader Roy Whitehead slammed the identity changes, claiming the spending was "an example of waste that is completely unnecessary".

More than £8,000 will be spent on signage as part of the identity changes

He said: "We rebuilt the Museum but now the Lib Dems are going to charge you to get in to pay for their rebranding. What next? Riverside to be renamed 'Side of the River'?"

The Liberal Democrat leader of the council defended the expenditure as necessary to make the museum "fit for the future."

Stephen Robinson said: "The Museum of Chelmsford's rebrand project is more than a new name and logo and the costs were covered within existing budgets and external grant funding.

"The wider project, which included a consultation with local community groups and stakeholders, has helped to reshape the museum’s core mission, purpose and values, leading to the design of a new, contemporary brand to ensure the museum is fit for the future."

Just over £25,000 from a £28,000 budget has been spent on the rebrand

He added: "The decision to change to the museum’s name was not part of the original brief – it was simply an outcome of this creative process.

"A key aim of this work is to help the Museum of Chelmsford secure more external funding.

"A museum that knows itself and where it fits into its community is much more likely to be successful in attracting sponsorship, grants and partnerships. Securing new funding, alongside a move to a new membership scheme, events programme and entry charges, is vital for the long-term success of the museum.

"With Chelmsford City Council due to be abolished in 2028, the clock was already ticking on the museum’s old identity, which was simply a version of the council’s own logo. Better to embrace a new look now, when it could have maximum impact on its future fortunes."