The Fight To Save Britain’s Neon Sign Legacy
Bright neon lights have long been a part of our urban landscape—those bright, glowing lights that illuminate the streets of Soho, the West End, and countless other areas. They’ve been iconic in British culture for over 100 years, but they’re now at risk of vanishing. The problem isn’t that people don’t value them, but that cheaper, mass-produced LED signs are flooding the market, often marketed as "neon" when they’re a far cry from the real thing. It’s a problem that’s hurting artisan businesses, traditional artisans, and even the survival of this heritage craft.
The Origins of Neon in Britain
It’s hard to imagine London without its neon lights, but you might not know they were first invented here in the UK in 1898? Clever Brits Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers discovered how to make this gas light up, and from there, the world was introduced to the neon sign. From the busy streets of London to the shining signs of Times Square, neon became a fixture of cities worldwide. But now, we’re on the verge of losing this tradition. With only 27 full-time neon glass benders left in the UK, neon signs for business the art is in serious danger.
Why the Real Deal Matters
So what’s the issue? Well, the problem comes with LED lights that look like neon but are completely different from the real deal. Neon signs are made from glass tubes that are carefully bent by hand, filled with gases like the right gases, and this art takes years of training to perfect. These signs are works of art, but the cheap knockoffs are factory-made, inexpensive, and often misleadingly sold as neon. It’s confusing for customers and damaging to businesses that still handcraft real neon signs.
Take a company like Neon Creations in Bolton, run by Tony and Catherine Spink. They’ve been making authentic neon signs since 2005, but their business has faced a huge decline in demand as customers are tricked into buying fake neon signs from big box stores. When these customers realize the difference, they often contact small businesses for fixes on products that are fake to begin with.
Why neon signs shop is Still Important
Neon signs aren’t just about advertising; they’re part of our cultural landscape. Think of the signs outside classic theatres, pubs, and restaurants. They’re part of our culture, and despite the growth of the creative industries in the UK, with £124 billion in annual contributions from the arts, neon is a unique piece of that creative scene.
The Call for Protection
So, what needs to be done? The solution is simple: we need clearer recognition for the real deal. What we’re asking for is a formal certification mark, or a set standard, that marks genuine neon signs as authentic. This way, customers can tell the difference and know they’re getting what they paid for.
It’s not about banning anything; it’s about setting the record straight. We also need to support the artisans who are keeping this craft alive, like Tony and Catherine at Neon Creations, who are trying to pass on their skills but can’t because the demand just isn’t there.
The Future of Neon
The reality is that we’re at a crossroads. If we don’t act now, we could see this British tradition disappear. Neon is more than just a flashy sign—it’s part of what makes our cities stand out. We’ve got to preserve it for future generations—so they can walk down the streets and still experience the magic of neon.
If we don’t take action, we could lose it for exterior neon signs good. Let’s protect neon signage for what it is—a symbol of our cultural heritage.