A Preston firm is going back to the 1960s to help refurbish the city’s grade-II listed Bus Station.
AdvertisementSigns Express has landed the contract for re-making 1,500 signs for the building as part of its multi-million pound refurbishment.
During the next 12 months the team at the Rough Hey-headquartered firm as re-creating the original sign designs which were installed when the Bus Station first opened in the late 60s.
Director at Signs Express Ben Hall said: “As a Preston company we are very proud to have been appointed to this important regeneration project for the city.
“The work we have been carrying out has also been fascinating as the regeneration project includes restoring a lot of the bus station to its original 1960s look, including the signs and the distinctive numbers on each original bus bay.
“We’re spending a lot of time getting that look right. The bus station is a very special and distinctive building and requires this special approach. The result will be fantastic.”
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The 15-strong team are part of the father and son firm, who landed the contract from Conlon Construction.
Project manager for Conlon Peter Carroll said: “The team at Signs Express have been proactive in finding solutions to match the existing signage as the building is listed and has English Heritage status.
“They have worked well with ourselves and our client Lancashire County Council providing detailed signage information and samples when required.”
Ben Hall explained some of the quirks of the Bus Station’s designs.
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He said: “On the eastern apron, where the new bus terminals are being located, the original signs number 1 to 40 inside the concourse and will be retained and restored.
“But, there are going to be fewer bays for buses so externally every sixth or seventh number is missing. There will be no numbers 18, 26 or 33 for example.
“This won’t affect passengers, as these numbers are only used by drivers arriving at the bus station.”
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