Tyson Lighting expands to city centre

Tyson Lighting has expanded into Manchester for its first dedicated lighting design practice and contract showroom following the expansion of the company's manufacturing facilities in Blackburn.

The £3.5m turnover firm announced the opening of the brand new third floor, 1,770 sq ft facility located within Manchester's Old Granada Studios on Atherton Road in the city centre.

Tyson Lighting specialises in the design, manufacture, supply and project management of traditional, bespoke and contemporary lighting.

The Manchester design office and showroom will open this summer and the company says it will provide a hub for designers, architects and specifiers to explore the ranges of Tyson's two international brand partners, VISO and Luceplan as well as Tyson’s own bespoke lighting design.

A team of top lighting designers will be on hand to help turn creative ideas into award-winning lighting projects.

The showroom will be a stone’s throw from one of Tyson Lighting’s most recent projects, Tattu Restaurant and Bar in Spinningfields which opened earlier this month. Tyson Lighting oversaw the supply and fabrication of over 70 pieces of bespoke and technical lighting for the new body-art inspired Dim Sum restaurant and bar - including the iconic over-sized anchors wrapped in rope and flowers and fitted with halogen golf balls hanging in the main bar.

Managing director Andrew Gibson, said: "The new Manchester showroom opening is the next phase in the company’s expansion and also the logical step in our holistic approach to lighting. We chose the iconic Granada Studios building because it's synonymous with creativity and giving individuals an opportunity to express themselves and we believe we, as a company, do the same."

The opening of the showroom follows on from the significant expansion of the company's Blackburn manufacturing facility in the past six months, which has seen the size of its combined works area more than double to meet recent demand. The firm has also invested in three welders, a state-of-the-art bending machine and de-greasing and metal finishing equipment.

The expansion has resulted in the appointment of five new staff including two bespoke lighting manufacturers, a specialist painter and two trainees who will work within the wiring department. Andrew said: "I'm a huge fan of releasing eager young energy into an established department and allowing their enthusiasm to be embraced. When you treat young people with that level of respect, you get outstanding results in terms of work rate, quality of work and job satisfaction for all involved."