The Fight To Save Britain’s Neon Sign Legacy

Neon signs have long been a part of our urban landscape—those vibrant, eye-catching signs that light up the streets of Soho, Piccadilly Circus, 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 appreciate them, but that cheap LED alternatives are flooding the market, often marketed as "neon" when they’re a far cry from the real thing. It’s a problem that’s affecting small businesses, skilled craftspeople, and even the future of this iconic craft.

The Origins of Neon in Britain

It’s hard to imagine London without its neon lights, but did you know they were a British invention 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 bright lights of New York’s Times Square, neon became a staple of cities worldwide. But now, we’re losing this part of our heritage. With only 27 full-time neon glass benders left in the UK, the craft 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 neon or argon, and this art takes years of skill to perfect. These signs are works of art, but the cheap knockoffs are factory-made, cheap, and often misleadingly sold as neon. It’s misleading for customers and hurting small businesses that still handcraft real neon signs.

Take a company like neon signs for business Creations in Bolton, run by Tony and exterior neon signs 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 LED "neon" signs from larger retailers. When these customers realize the difference, they often reach out to small businesses for fixes on something that aren’t even neon.

Why Neon is Still Important

Neon signs aren’t just about advertising; they’re part of our identity. Think of the signs outside old cinemas, music venues, and restaurants. They’re part of our culture, and despite the growth of the creative industries in the UK, exterior neon signs 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 answer is simple: we need better protection for the real deal. What we’re asking for is a formal certification mark, or a British standard, that clearly identifies neon signs as authentic. This way, customers can easily spot the fake ones and know they’re getting the true craftsmanship.

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 desperately trying to train new artisans but struggling 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 some decorative lights—it’s part of what makes our cities shine bright. We’ve got to protect it for future generations—so they can walk down the streets and still experience the magic of neon.

If we don’t act now, we could lose it for good. Let’s protect neon signage for what it represents—a symbol of Britain’s creative legacy.