Public have their say on new Game of Thrones sign in Castle Park

TV network HBO announced on Tuesday Essex has been temporarily renamed to mark the end of the record-breaking series.

Following one of the most anticipated television finales in history, four locations across the country have been given names from the show’s fantasy world, Westeros.

Visit Colchester and Visit Essex have worked with the television network and one of these signs has been unveiled in Castle Park.

The sign, which rebrands Essex as Essos, will be in the park for a limited time.

Tourism chiefs are hoping to cash-in on Thrones-fever.

Mark Cory, leader of Colchester Council, said the new sign was a “tremendous coup” for Colchester.

Council leader Mark Cory

He said: “I know there are many massive fans of the series around Colchester and I encourage them to come and take a look.

“I would also like to appeal to fans of Game of Thrones to take some time here and get to know Colchester.

“Come, visit the sign and find out more about Britain’s First City and our parallels to the Game of Thrones world.”

However some residents have been far less complementary or the idea.

Penny Clayton said on Facebook: "What the heck is Game of Thrones?

"I preferred the elaborate flower bed design that was there previously.

"Why not something to do with our Heriage?"

Julian Hopwood said he hoped no taxpayer cash had been spent on the sign.

However Gazette website user Colchester48 praised the idea. 

They said: "It’s a cheap advertising sign, but one that will bring a lot of people to it for selfies etc.

"While these people are here doing that they might buy a coffee or a sandwich, they might have a meal, they might decide that the while they are here they'll buy a few bits from the shops.

"All positive things for the town right?

"Just because you don't watch the programme doesn't detract from the fact that it is massively popular and this gimmicky advertising sign will benefit the town by drawing people to it."

The sign in Castle Park

Visit Colchester hopes residents and visitors will have fun matching up the events and characters from the town’s rich and bloody history of invasion, revolt and siege to the show’s storylines.

In particular, there are parallels between warrior Queen Boudica, who led the uprising against the Romans, and the show’s dragon queen Daenerys Targaryen.

Colchester Castle, the largest Norman keep in Europe, also would not look out of place as a location in the show.

Visitors are being encouraged to snap selfies with the sign and share on social media.

READ MORE: Game of Thrones renames Essex to celebrate show's finale

Lisa Bone, of Visit Essex, said: “We have fully embraced the Game of Thrones takeover of Essex, now named Essos, and to have a visible connection to the show outside one of our most iconic attractions, Colchester Castle in Britain’s first city, is a huge opportunity.”

For more information, visit visitessos.com.