In his latest regular column, the chairman of Maldon District Council, Councillor Mark Heard, reflects on the district's branding and celebrates what makes it unique.

I feel very fortunate and privileged to be the Chairman of Maldon District – because it has such a unique story to tell.

In spring 2015, Maldon District Council launched a project to develop a story and visual theme for the district. To celebrate this story, the council, working with local people, helped to develop the 'Sense of Place' District Branding, an instantly recognisable look for the Maldon District, with a strong identity.

Have you ever noticed the Maldon District brand?

The term 'brand' refers to a business marketing concept that helps people identify a particular company, product, or place. People often confuse brands with logos, slogans, or other recognizable marks, which are marketing tools that help to promote goods or services, but brands are considered to be among a company's most important and valuable asset. Although intangible, brands help shape people's perceptions of a 'product', providing value to a company or individual.

In the same way, the Sense of Place District Branding provides a vibrant toolkit of assets, including colour pallet, graphics, logos and photography, which are all freely available to businesses, stakeholders and groups based in the Maldon district.

Maldon District Council uses the toolkit alongside its own branding to recognise being part of this wonderful place. It conveys our coastal connection, rejoices in our independent and timeless character and expresses the district's gastro experience.

Residents and visitors can enjoy food and drink at our restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars or take a trip to one of our award-winning vineyards or breweries. We have diverse and exciting local history featured in our museums. Indeed, one can experience it for real by stepping aboard a Thames Sailing Barge from our historic harbours and quays.

A stroll around our historic maritime towns and traditional marshland villages, full of rich heritage, quaint shops and hidden gems allows you to delve into a thousand years of history in our museums and heritage centres.

Then why not visit our high streets which have some great independent and eclectic shops, enough to fill many days of retail therapy!

The Sense of Place Branding captures the essence of our area, allowing us to celebrate being part of it and help us to promote the Maldon District with a fresh, bright and distinct identity.

You can see elements of this branding on coastal and parks signage, in the council offices and even on our lanyards. So, if you see this branding around the district, you'll now know what it's all about.

Feel free to celebrate your own part of our local story - you can find what you need via the link here.

Thanks for reading this and, as always, take care.

Councillor Mark S. Heard