A petition calling for newly named Atria Watford to be called the Harlequin has garnered over 1,000 signatures.

The appeal - which was recently backed by Naughty Boy - was launched after the shopping mall's managing company Global Mutual unveiled the name last week.

Within minutes people were voicing disapproval, with one claiming it sounds like "an air freshener" and another comparing it to a "medical condition".

The frustration stemmed from a public yearning for it to be called the Harlequin - its former name before being changed in 2013 under new management.

Grammy-winner Naughty Boy, from Watford, signed the petition and shared it to his 200k Twitter followers earlier this week.

Campaigner George Ryan, who grew up close to the centre in Queen’s Road, said he launched the petition because having a name "anchored in the proud history of Watford" would help the struggling centre.

He added: "I just felt angry that clearly these people don’t understand our town at all."

It currently has approaching 1,100 signatures.

Formerly known as intu Watford, the name announcement sparked an outcry of disapproval on social media, with many claiming the majority of people will always know it as the Harlequin regardless of its new name.

Watford Observer: George Ryan has started a petition to rename the shopping centre the HarlequinGeorge Ryan has started a petition to rename the shopping centre the Harlequin

However, some also queried why so many residents felt so strongly about the name when they could call it what they want.

Global Mutual took over last October, and its head of European retail Steve Gray previously said the company believes the centre needed a fresh start under new ownership.

He added that the new name "represents exciting changes and celebrates a limitless, bright and prosperous future for Watford town centre".

"We remain incredibly respectful towards the sentiment the Harlequin holds in Watford, which has helped shape the strong community values the centre has today," he said.

Global Mutual has not responded to a request for comment in response to the petition.