Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This list started with Gordon Brown mentioning the 'websphere' in his post-referendum speech in Scotland. Allen Brown said it was the name of IBM's webserver software. Andrew Denny said he thought IBM was going the way of Pan Am – a brand name in daily use that everyone has now forgotten…
1. Berni Inns
One of Peter Hitchens's "ghost brands" in The Cameron Delusion. Nominated by Labour History Group.
2. ICI
Split off drugs and bioscience to Zeneca in 1993, now AstraZeneca; sold off chemicals; remaining paints company bought by Akzo Nobel in 2008.
3. Woolworths
Shops closed 2009. Brand continues as Shop Direct online.
4. Amstrad
I never had a green-screen computer, but I had a PC1512 (two 5¼-inch floppy disk drives) in 1986. Selected by Austin.
5. Midland Bank
Bought by HSBC in 1992 and renamed in 1999. From Adrian McMenamin.
6. C&A
Last British shop closed in 2001, but still operates in much of the rest of Europe and in China. Put forward by Brian Dempsey.
7. Waddingtons
Bought by Hasbro in 1994. From Mark Fraser.
8. Spangles
Boiled sweets made by Mars discontinued in 1984. I liked the acid drop ones. From Mitchell Stirling and Paul Bexon. Graham Thorne's appeal – "They are not forgotten" – was overruled.
9. Green Shield stamps
Suspended 1983. Revived 1987-1991. Catalogue company had already been rebranded as Argos, 1973. Nominated by Keith Howitt.
10. Radio Rentals
Merged with Granada Rentals in 2000 to form boxclever, which went bust in 2003.
Next week: Worst autobiography titles
Coming soon: TV narrators (starting with Laurence Olivier, 'The World at War'). Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk
John Rentoul's 'Listellany: A Miscellany of Very British Top 10s, from Politics to Pop' (Elliott & Thompson, £9.99; e-book £4.99) is out now
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments