Thorn Lighting’s advanced Thor lanterns and bespoke gobo projectors have been selected to help revitalise Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street, aiming to draw more visitors, support local businesses, and promote community pride.

Town centre regeneration is essential for boosting local economies and fostering vibrant communities. In line with its ongoing county-wide improvement efforts, Durham County Council has delivered projects to transform the town centres of Spennymoor and Consett. The council’s vision is to create spaces that attract more shoppers, businesses, and community gatherings. Thorn Lighting’s solutions have been instrumental in achieving this vision, offering an engaging and adaptable lighting scheme that supports events throughout the year.

Creating a Community Hub with Adaptive Lighting

Lighting can dramatically change how a space is perceived, especially in town centres. Thorn Lighting’s, Thor lanterns, combined with gobo projectors mounted on bespoke columns, provide the perfect blend of aesthetic appeal and functionality, allowing for tailored lighting themes that change with the seasons and significant events. The adaptive lighting has helped to create welcoming hubs in Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street, where people can gather for local events like Christmas festivities and Remembrance Sunday commemorations. From snowflakes at Christmas to poppies for Remembrance Week, each projection fosters a sense of place and community identity.

A Thoughtful and Customised Lighting Solution

Thorn’s Thor lanterns offer high performance and versatility. These LED smart urban lanterns offer comfortable lighting quality and compatibility with any existing management control systems via ZHAGA sockets. Mounted on bespoke columns with illuminated heads, the Thor lanterns seamlessly integrate into both Spennymoor and Consett’s streetscapes, creating an appealing ambiance. Additionally, gobo projectors allow for customisable, event-specific lighting, showcasing symbols like the Coronation emblem when King Charles ascended to the throne.

Paul Gleadow, Durham County Council’s Street lighting and operational support manager, said, “As part of our ongoing regeneration of County Durham’s towns and villages, we wanted to create spaces that were not only welcoming and functional but also felt unique to the community. This partnership has allowed us to commemorate key events in a way which engages with residents, creating a strong sense of pride and belonging. Seeing people enjoy these areas since we have made these enhancements has been incredibly rewarding.”

Overcoming Project Challenges

Implementing the schemes in Spennymoor and Consett required precision and care to ensure the lighting solution fitted both the aesthetic and functional needs of the spaces. In Spennymoor, aligning the gobo projections to cover the intended floor space required multiple site visits and careful adjustments to the positioning and angles of the columns. For Consett, illuminating specific building facades meant careful spacing and placement to achieve consistent coverage without overpowering the area.

Solutions to Challenges

Through extensive on-site adjustments, the team was able to optimise the positioning of the columns and projectors, ensuring the lighting scenes landed exactly where intended. The final arrangement enables residents to fully enjoy the vibrant gobo scenes, which draw attention without distracting from the area’s natural beauty.

Main Benefits of the New Lighting Solution

Thorn’s lighting solution has quickly become a source of pride for residents. The adaptable gobo projections have helped transform the town centres into dynamic spaces that reflect seasonal changes and important community events, helping residents and visitors connect with these revitalised areas. The Thor lanterns also contribute to a welcoming, well-lit environment, enhancing safety and encouraging more foot traffic in these regenerated town centres.

Positive Feedback and Future Impact

The projects in Spennymoor and Consett demonstrate how lighting can help revitalise a community. Residents have responded enthusiastically, with many expressing appreciation for the attention to detail and the focus on creating a space that reflects the town’s character. As footfall increases, the council’s investment in a sustainable, community-focused lighting solution is expected to benefit local businesses and foster an enduring sense of pride.

For more information on Thorn Lightings Thor luminaire please visit: https://www.thornlighting.co.uk/en-gb/products/outdoor-lighting/street-lighting/Thor?searchterm=Thor%2A