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.
For further information on the Brighton project please visit: https://www.cuphosco.com/articles/return-of-a-seafron-classic