Brighton & Hove City Council, in partnership with lighting expert, CU Phosco, is set to restore the city’s historic Grade II listed seafront lighting to its former glory. The first phase of this eagerly awaited project officially commenced in Spring 2025.
For residents who have missed the original ambience of Brighton & Hove’s iconic shoreline, this restoration marks a momentous step toward recapturing the historic charm and character of the beloved seafront. The project will restore 100 lanterns and listed columns, ensuring they continue to illuminate the city for future generations.
During the initial phase, five lampposts will be removed for full restoration. Each column is being individually logged to ensure correct reinstatement. The project has been carefully developed in collaboration with Historic England and a specialist metal conservator to maintain historical integrity.
The lampposts, which date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, will undergo a meticulous process of lead-paint removal, structural assessment, damage repair, and protective coating before returning to their original locations.
Brighton & Hove City Council has appointed expert industry partners to oversee different aspects of the project:
Cast Iron Welding Services will handle the transportation, conservation, and structural restoration of the lampposts; while CU Phosco, originally commissioned in 1982 to manufacture replica lanterns of the classic copper originals, will produce historically accurate lanterns and brackets. These will remain true to their original design while incorporating modern, energy-efficient LED lighting.
Brighton & Hove City Council has worked in close collaboration with Historic England to develop a restoration plan that carefully preserves the historical integrity of the heritage columns, brackets, and lanterns.
Tom Foxall, Regional Director at Historic England, says, “We’re delighted to support this essential project to restore Brighton’s unique historic lampposts. These elegant structures are a defining feature of the seafront and an important part of the city’s heritage.”
The restored lanterns will undergo rigorous testing, including a 2,000-hour salt spray assessment, to withstand the unique demands of the coastal environment. Using a combination of cast rather than pressed aluminium – an improvement over previous designs – the restored fixtures will offer enhanced longevity and resilience, combining tradition with energy-efficient LED lighting in a warm, sympathetic 3000K colour temperature – which match the original lanterns colour and brightness.
Matt Murray, Sales Director, CU Phosco Lighting, comments, “This is a very proud moment for CU Phosco, after years of development to ensure that the lanterns replicate the original designs, with innovative and sustainable solutions to enable the seafront to be returned to its former glory. The project team focused on providing energy-efficient, maintenance-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing products, maintaining the authenticity of the original lanterns. Proving that existing heritage lanterns can be replicated with circularity in mind”.
The project’s funding, totalling approximately £4 million, comes from the council’s Carbon Neutral Fund, capital reserves, and remaining funds from the LED streetlighting project. Notably, some of the experts working on this project are also involved in the Madeira Terrace restoration, reinforcing Brighton & Hove’s commitment to preserving its heritage assets.
The first phase is targeted for completion by April 2025, marking the start of a journey to restore the entire collection by 2027. This project represents a major step in safeguarding Brighton & Hove’s architectural legacy, ensuring that these cherished landmarks continue to illuminate the city’s iconic seafront for years to come.
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