C.U. Phosco's Brighton Heritage Lantern has been named Lighting Product of the
Year at the Electrical Industry Awards 2026, recognising an innovative approach to
preserving historic lighting while delivering the efficiency, durability and
maintainability of modern LED technology.
Developed for Brighton & Hove City Council's restoration of its iconic seafront
lighting, the award-winning lantern recreates a Victorian design originally
manufactured by C.U. Phosco in 1982. More than four decades later, the company
was uniquely placed to reproduce the lantern, drawing on its original engineering
drawings, historical photographs and a preserved sample housing.
The project forms part of an ongoing programme to restore more than 100 heritage
lanterns and Grade II listed columns along Brighton's seafront. With decades of
exposure to the harsh coastal environment taking their toll, the challenge was to
preserve the character of the historic streetscape while providing a lighting solution
built to meet today's performance and maintenance requirements.
Working closely with Brighton & Hove City Council, C.U. Phosco re-engineered the
lantern from the inside out. High-pressure aluminium die-casting replaced the
original manufacturing process to improve precision and durability, while enhanced
corrosion protection, including 1,680 hours of accelerated salt-spray testing, ensures
the lantern is equipped to withstand its exposed coastal location.
Behind its traditional appearance, the lantern incorporates a modern 3000K LED
light engine, delivering 41% energy savings compared with the previous installation.
Its design also supports long-term maintenance and circularity, with upgradeable
LED boards and drivers positioned in the base of the column for easier access.
The lantern design received approval from Historic England, ensuring the distinctive
appearance of Brighton's seafront lighting could be retained. The first restored
column was unveiled in October 2024, with the wider installation programme
beginning in May 2025.
Matt Murray, Sales Director at CU Phosco, comments "We're incredibly proud to see the Brighton Heritage Lantern recognised with this award. What makes this project
particularly special is our connection to the original lanterns. Having manufactured
them more than 40 years ago, we had the drawings, knowledge and expertise to
recreate their distinctive appearance while completely rethinking the engineering
behind them.
"It's a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in the design and development of
the lantern and demonstrates that preserving our heritage doesn't have to mean
compromising on modern lighting performance or sustainability."
The award is a further recognition of C.U. Phosco's British engineering and
manufacturing expertise, and its ability to combine traditional design with modern
technology to extend the life of valued public infrastructure.