Bar and Leisure Focus: Neon Creations


Neon sign specialists Neon Creations report a surge in enquiries as restaurants get back on their feet after the pandemic


Words by Toby Maxwell

Post-Covid, restaurants and bars are making a comeback, and it is brighter than ever according to custom-made neon sign specialists Neon Creations, which has reported a surge in enquiries as hospitality business owners look to entice customers back.

It was social media platform Pinterest that first heralded the neon boom at the end of 2020, with an 800% increase in searches for ‘neon room’ over the last 12 months. The platform predicted that the popular design trend was set to be bigger than ever as populations emerge into a post-pandemic world on a quest for interiors that not only look great but make us feel great too.

Hospitality businesses that are looking for bespoke neon light designs have dramatically increased since last year
Hospitality businesses that are looking for bespoke neon light designs have dramatically increased since last year

According to Catherine Spink, co-founder of Neon Creations, consumer desire for escapism and optimism is driving the emergence of a number of trends in the sector. ‘Neon is an interior trend that has been around for decades,’ she told retail news Entirely, ‘but it is really starting to gain in momentum this year in both commercial spaces and residential homes. Neon is fun, vibey and colourful, and can inject a lot of personality into a space, making a big-impact design statement and Insta-ready photo opportunity that can create [a] huge social media appeal.

‘Ultimately, customers, especially younger clientele, want optimism, colour and fun when it comes to the places that they are socialising in, and this trend is rippling through the hospitality sector as establishments look to outshine the competition.’

Hospitality businesses that are looking for bespoke neon light designs have dramatically increased since last year
Hospitality businesses that are looking for bespoke neon light designs have dramatically increased since last year

Spink adds that the flexibility of this design trend is one of the crucial factors in driving it forwards in 2021, as business owners look to make a long-term investment in the aesthetic of their bar or restaurant. ‘While LED signage and off-the-shelf designs can offer a cheaper alternative,’ she continued, ‘there is a growing desire for handcrafted and authentic neon creations – with small business owners supporting and respecting the skill set required to create [it].

‘The second half of 2021 is set to be a significant time for the UK hospitality industry, and it is clear that design is set to play a huge role in reshaping the industry as it emerges from a year of disruption and evolution.’
neoncreations.co.uk








Progressive Media International Limited. Registered Office: 40-42 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EB, UK.Copyright 2024, All rights reserved.