Neon signs have long been a part of our urban landscape—those vibrant, eye-catching signs that illuminate the streets of London, Piccadilly Circus, and countless other areas. They’ve been a symbol of British nightlife for over 100 years, but they’re now at threatened with extinction. The problem isn’t that people don’t appreciate them, but that cheaper, mass-produced LED signs are flooding the market, often marketed as "neon" when they’re nothing like the authentic neon.

It’s a problem that’s affecting small businesses, traditional artisans, and even the survival of this heritage craft. The Origins of Neon in Britain It’s hard to imagine London without its glowing signs, but you might not know they were a British invention in 1898? Scientists Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers discovered how to make neon gas glow, and from there, the world was introduced to the neon sign. From the busy streets of London to the bright lights of New York’s Times Square, neon became a staple of cities worldwide.

But now, we’re losing this part of our heritage. With only 27 full-time neon glass benders left in the UK, the art is in serious danger. Why the Real Deal Matters So what’s the issue? Well, the problem comes with LED lights that look like neon but are nothing like the real deal. Neon signs are made from glass tubes that are carefully bent by hand, filled with gases like the right gases, and this process takes years of training to perfect.

These signs are works of art, but mass-produced LEDs are easy to make, inexpensive, and often marketed as "neon". It’s misleading for customers and neon lights store damaging to businesses that still make the real thing. Take a company like Neon Creations in Bolton, buy neon lights run by Tony and Catherine Spink. They’ve been making real neon signs since 2005, but their business has faced a huge decline in demand as customers are tricked into buying fake neon signs from larger retailers.

When these customers discover the difference, they often reach out to small businesses for fixes on products that are fake to begin with. Why Neon is Still Important Neon signs aren’t just about making a quick sale; they’re part of our identity. Think of the signs outside old cinemas, music venues, and diners. They’re part of our culture, and despite the growth of the creative industries in the UK, with over £124 billion pumped into the economy from the arts, neon is a unique piece of that ecosystem.

The Call for Protection So, what needs to be done? The answer is simple: we need better protection for authentic neon signs. What we’re asking for is proper certification, or a British standard, that clearly identifies neon signs as authentic. This way, customers can easily spot the fake ones and know they’re getting the true craftsmanship. It’s not about stopping innovation; it’s about setting the record straight.

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