Neon Signs: A British Tradition At Risk

Bright neon lights have long been a part of our urban landscape—those bright, glowing lights that illuminate the streets of London, Piccadilly Circus, and countless other locations. 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 cheap LED alternatives are flooding the market, often marketed as "neon" when they’re nothing like the authentic neon. It’s a problem that’s hurting artisan businesses, skilled craftspeople, 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? Scientists Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers discovered how to make neon gas glow, 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 skilled neon artisans left in the UK, the art is dying out fast.

Why the Real Deal Matters

So what’s the issue? Well, the problem comes with cheap LED alternatives 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 training to perfect. These signs are true masterpieces, but the cheap knockoffs are easy to make, 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 seen a sharp drop in demand as customers are misled into buying LED "neon" signs from big box stores. When these customers discover the difference, they often reach out to small businesses for repairs on something that aren’t even neon.

Why Neon is Still Important

Neon signs aren’t just about making a quick sale; they’re part of our identity. Think of the signs outside old cinemas, music venues, and restaurants. They’re part of what makes our streets unique, 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 ecosystem.

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 exterior neon signs signs as the real thing. This way, customers can easily spot the fake ones and know they’re getting what they paid for.

It’s not about banning anything; it’s about getting the facts right. 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 a flashy sign—it’s part of what makes our cities stand out. We’ve got to protect it for future generations—so they can walk down the streets and still see the glow of neon.

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