COUNCIL bosses have defended their recent rebranding.

Last June, eyebrows were raised after North Ayrshire Council rolled out a new logo incorporating Gaelic language – a language seldom spoken by North Ayrshire residents.

The logo was devised due to Scottish Government legislation which aims to promote Gaelic alongside English.

However, one designer has this week blasted the new look.

The North Ayrshire resident, who did want to be named, slated the rebranding as a “waste of money”.

He said: “I think it’s disgraceful that they’ve spent so much money on this new logo.

“At a time of austerity when the council are closing around 60 play parks to save money surely they can spend their money on better things than a new logo.

“I’ve worked with similar projects in the past which have cost upwards of half a million pounds. There’s no need for this kind of rebranding.

“It’s a complete waste of money.” However, the council have hit back at his claims and stated that the design of the logo itself cost just over £300.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “North Ayrshire Council took the opportunity to refresh our logo to meet the legal requirements set out by the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Language Plan.

“The cost for the design was £325 and was carried out by a North Ayrshire company.

“The outgoing logo will be phased out gradually with branded items only replaced on a needs-must basis or when stocks ran low ensuring a cost-effective way of bringing a fresh look to our logo.”