The two new coat of arms logos which may be seen around the UCLan campus

Preston’s university could restore the lamb of the city to its logo.

The University of Central Lancashire is considering ditching its red roses logo and returning to a traditional coat of arms.

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Two new potential logos have been released, both featuring the blue lamb of Preston, and the university’s vice-chancellor said he wanted a logo that ‘symbolises our pride’.

Vice-chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “Last year we consulted widely with staff, students and stakeholders over the development of our new Corporate Strategy. This process prompted questions about who we are and consciously thinking about how to position ourselves in a sector of worldwide higher education institutions which now numbers over 9,000.

“I think our Coat of Arms is a major asset and we should be making more of it. It really helps to symbolise our pride at being at the heart of the community and emphasises our educational ethos which encourages people from all walks of life to make the most of their talents.”

The university is running a day-long survey in the city centre on Monday 14 March to ask Prestonians for their opinion.

What was the former Britannia Building Society in the St George’s Shopping Centre is becoming the ‘UCLan Shop’ and will host the event from 10am to 5pm.

“This refresh is much broader than logo development and is about ensuring that UCLan can successfully compete in an increasingly global environment but we recognise that the logo is important to all those who care passionately about the University.

“Our Coat of Arms was first unveiled at the University’s Founder’s Day celebration on the 6 October 1993. It is hugely symbolic and rooted in historical relevance but apart from printing it on University degree certificates we’ve never used it to its full potential. Now is the opportunity for everyone to have their say and we will take their views seriously.

“Whatever is decided we certainly won’t be tearing down UCLan logos from the frontage of all our buildings. We anticipate that design costs for this project will amount to no more than £10,000 and we have commissioned the designs from a local Preston company set up as a graduate start-up business from this University. We anticipate some initial promotional costs, however, the whole process will be largely cost neutral.”

Related: How much each year is UCLan worth to Preston and the North West?

Where does the coat of arms come from and what does it mean?

One of the crest designs for UCLan

The University of Central Lancashire Coat of Arms was designed by Richmond Herald of the College of Arms in 1993 and contains a number of symbols representing the University’s origins.

The upper part of the shield refers to the City of Preston, represented by the paschal lamb and flag, which appear on the Preston coat of arms, and the background to the upper part is blue which is both the background colour on the Preston City arms and one of the background colours on the shield of the Harris Institute, one of the predecessor institutions of the University.

The lower part of the shield relates to Lancashire, represented by a stylised red rose of the kind which appears on the Lancashire County Council Coat of Arms. The red rose is placed centrally to symbolise Central Lancashire and the partition line between the upper and lower parts of the shield is in the form of an arch similar to that used on the shield of the Harris Institute.

In the Lancashire County Council coat of arms the shield is supported by two collared lions and lions have been adopted as supporters of the University’s shield. The lions are also shown holding torches and supporting books, which are symbols of learning and education.

In the crest, a lion’s foreleg is shown holding a scroll, indicating the University’s authority to award degrees. The motto ‘Ex Solo Ad Solem’, meaning from the earth to the sun, is taken from the Harris Institute arms.

The motto encourages people from all walks of life to develop their full potential, which matches the prime purpose of the University as stated in its Mission Statement.

What did you vote for? Let us know your views on the proposed logo in the comments below