In 2026, one of the biggest pressures on signage and brand-implementation teams isn’t design or manufacture. It’s coordination. It’s the admin and risk created between suppliers.
Because the more partners a project touches, the more handovers you inherit and the more problems hide in the gaps.
Before anything is made… timelines are already tight
Even before fabrication starts, approvals can shape everything.
In England, major planning decisions are meant to be determined within 13 weeks, but government data shows that in July–September 2025, only 19% of major applications were decided within the statutory 13 weeks (even though 90% were decided within 13 weeks or an agreed extended timeframe).
13 weeks is the target – but extensions are the norm. Only 19% of major applications hit the original deadline, with most decisions relying on agreed time extensions.
In other words: extensions are common, and programmes often need to plan for uncertainty. And it isn’t just anecdotal – recent reporting has highlighted how widely “time extensions” (performance agreements) are used across councils.
So if your rollout plan depends on “everything going to schedule”… you’re already exposed.
Where projects become hard to manage
Most signage projects don’t go wrong because people don’t care. They go wrong because delivery becomes fragmented and stretched across multiple supply partners:
one supplier surveys
another produces artwork/drawings
another advises on planning
another fabricates
another installs
another resolves snags
And each step increases the chance of rework. And with each rework comes additional cost!
70% of projects exceeded budgets, with average overruns of 18%.
Do this next time:
If you’re about to kick off a refresh or rebrand across an estate, here are 3 simple actions that reduce risk fast:
Spot the “rework hotspots” (where decisions are often reversed late-stage)
Assign one owner for delivery so quality, timelines and accountability don’t split across multiple suppliers
One partner. One point of contact. One vision.
As a concept-to-completion branding partner, Astley’s aim is simple: remove the coordination headache by delivering critical services in-house — from early-stage surveys and design support through to manufacture and installation.
Including us at the outset of any project means we can potentially save costs, unnecessary extensions and mitigate potential risk by:
Reduce risk
Early consultancy and surveying to prepare sites properly (including practical considerations like access + power locations)
When teams reduce supplier handovers, three things tend to improve quickly:
Better decisions earlier – planning considerations, structural requirements and access constraints get factored in before the job is “locked.”
Stronger quality control throughout – instead of checking quality at the end, it gets controlled at each stage.
Less follow-up fatigue – one route for answers means fewer emails, fewer chasers, and fewer “it wasn’t us.”
If you’re about to start a rollout, here’s a simple question worth asking internally:
“How many handovers are we creating – and which ones are creating rework?”
Because even reducing one major handover can cut days (sometimes weeks) of project management effort – and reduce the unplanned costs that come from revisions, returns and remedials.
As more of our industry quite rightly looks at sustainability and ESG as part of their business strategies, maintaining a standard such as an Ecovadis medal becomes more challenging…however we’re delighted to announce that we are Bronze certified for another year!
This means that we remain in the top 35% globally for all those organisations assessed for this standard which is a huge accolade and a credit to our internal passion and commitment of our teams in how we approach our environmental, social and governance responsibilities.
Onwards now to achieving our Silver!
We’re thrilled to announce the winner of our Road Safety Competition in partnership with Harlow Green Primary School is…Eli!!! A huge well done to Eli who will now have his sign made and installed by us. And a huge well done to the two runners up – Aria and Esther, who created some amazing posters and made it especially difficult for our staff to decide on a final winner.
We’ll be sharing more details of Eli’s poster production over the next few weeks so be sure to follow us on social and subscribe to our newsletter to be kept up to date.
We’re thrilled to have started sponsoring a local primary school – Harlow Green Primary School – this year, and have started off by launching a Road Safety Competition for students to take part in. The winner will receive a custom made sign to be displayed proudly at the school gates and there will also be a factory tour for them and the runners-up!
Lots more to come in 2026 including a Wayfinding Competition and volunteer days by our staff to help the school enhance their SEN and Forest School areas. We’re excited to see some young faces exploring our facility and look forward to introducing them to how the magic happens!
We’re celebrating the end of the year by achieving a GOLD Better Health at Work Award!
Our internal Health Advocate and Mental Health Advocate teams have worked incredibly hard in 2025 to activate campaigns that help support a healthier and happy workforce. These types of initiatives continue to help drive our ESG activities within the business and offer employees the opportunity to learn about ways to feel healthier at work and home.
Well done to our team for volunteering their time to improving #teamastley’s health and we look forward to what you come up with for us in the new year!
We’re thrilled to announce we have been shortlisted in 3 super categories at the 2026 Sign Industry Awards. These amazing projects demonstrate the team’s commitment to quality and supporting clients with award-winning results. The three project we are crossing our fingers for are:
Good luck to all the entrants and well done to all our teams involved in producing these award-winning projects!
The Great North Run sign is now finished for another year and our teams are already planning the removal of the iconic sign from the Tyne Bridge. Behind the spectacle lies something far more critical however: structural responsibility and legal compliance.
BS EN 1090: not just a standard – a legal requirement
BS EN 1090 is the mandatory standard for any steel or aluminium load-bearing structures. Yet, a lot of signmaking partners in the UK do not yet hold this certification. And working with one who doesn’t can expose brands to serious risks—from non-compliance fines and project delays to safety failures and reputational harm.
Sign types that often fall under this regulation include:
Essentially, if a sign supports its own weight and could pose a safety risk if it fails — it likely requires BS EN 1090 compliance.
Legal scrutiny is increasing
The UK government is stepping up enforcement. Through Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), checks on structural signage are intensifying under the UK Construction Products Regulation and the Building Safety Act.
Failure to comply can lead to:
Fines of up to £5,000 per offence
Prosecution of company directors
Forced removal of non-compliant signage
Disqualification from public tenders or framework agreements
In the next. 12–24 months, with more high-profile incidents bringing safety to the forefront, inspections and penalties are expected to increase.
ESG in practice: why governance and HSQE matter
Good governance — the “G” in ESG — is about ensuring the partners you choose are not just creative and cost-effective, but legally accountable and process-driven.
At Astley, we’ve invested heavily in HSQE systems to maintain our BS EN 1090 certification. Our design, fabrication, and installation workflows are all audited, compliant, and fully documented. This means:
Safer outcomes
Fewer project delays
Full traceability from material to final install
Our fair pricing model reflects the value we offer: peace of mind, legal compliance, and long-term brand protection.
What does BS EN 1090 actually cover?
BS EN 1090 certification isn’t just about ticking a box at the end of a project — it governs every stage of structural signage creation, ensuring that what’s installed is legally compliant, structurally sound, and safe for public spaces.
Here’s how it applies to key stages of design and manufacture:
Structural calculations & design
Load-bearing signage (like building fascias, totems, and freestanding monoliths) must be designed with structural integrity in mind, factoring in wind loading, snow loading, dynamic forces, and long-term stress.
Calculations must be performed or verified by qualified personnel, often with third-party structural engineer sign-off.
Material selection & traceability
All steel or aluminium components must be sourced from approved suppliers and carry proper certification.
Materials are logged and tracked through every stage of production, ensuring full traceability — critical if issues arise post-installation.
Fabrication & assembly
Cutting, forming, drilling, and assembling of structural components must follow strict procedural controls.
Fabrication workshops must be regularly audited to confirm adherence to Factory Production Control (FPC) protocols.
Welding
One of the most heavily regulated areas. All welding activities must be carried out by qualified welders working to approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
Weld quality is verified through inspection and testing to meet defined tolerances.
Inspection, Testing & Final Documentation
A project can’t be signed off or CE marked unless compliance has evidenced through a documented compliance process
This holistic approach ensures signage doesn’t just look good — it performs safely, legally, and reliably under real-world conditions.
Designed for the real world
With increasingly severe and unpredictable UK weather, structural signage must now meet greater demands. From wind-loading to corrosion resistance, safety must be engineered in from the very start.
Whether it’s a bridge sign, a high-level fascia, or a retail park totem, if it’s not certified—it’s a risk.
Choose partners that protect your brand
The Tyne Bridge installation isn’t just a moment of pride for us — it’s a symbol of what responsible signage delivery looks like. Structural signage should never be a gamble.
If you’re working with large or load-bearing signage and your supplier can’t demonstrate BS EN 1090 certification, your project — and your brand — may be exposed.
That’s the Great North Run done for another year and we want to offer a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to three of our own on completing the challenge. Sam, Ash and Adam took on the run this Sunday and helped raise vital funds for some very worthwhile charities.
Well done to everyone who ran and fundraised this year. It looked like a great day!
Fix the Roof While the Sun is Shining: Why Now is the Time to Review Your Signage!
“Don’t wait for the storm to patch the roof.”
It’s a familiar saying—and one that Estate and Facilities Managers should take seriously when it comes to signage.
As summer sets in, the warmer, drier months provide the ideal window to review, repair, and reinforce signage across your estate—before shorter days and unpredictable weather make inspections difficult and failures more likely.
UK Weather is Becoming More Extreme
According to the Met Office, 2023 saw a sharp rise in extreme weather events, including record-breaking wind and rainfall. These conditions aren’t seasonal anomalies—they’re part of a growing trend. For estate signage, this means increased exposure to:
High winds and storm damage
Water ingress in electrical components
Failing fixings or corrosion
Illumination faults and safety hazards
The longer you leave it, the riskier—and more expensive—it becomes.
When a Sign Fails, So Can Brand Perception
Your signage is often the first physical representation of your brand. If it’s faded, unlit, or damaged, it reflects poorly on the business.
68% of consumers associate poor signage with a lack of professionalism
54% are less likely to engage with a business with damaged or unlit signs
70% of retail customers say exterior signage impacts their first impression
This affects footfall, customer trust, and employee pride—all of which are vital for any brand.
Why Summer is the Best Time for Signage Maintenance
Good weather, lighter evenings, and easier site access make summer the perfect season for estate-wide signage checks. Proactive maintenance now allows for:
✅ Fully illuminated and compliant brand presentation
Who Needs to Act?
If you’re responsible for property or brand integrity in any capacity—this message is for you:
Estate Managers – Are your sites compliant and structurally safe?
Facilities Teams – Are your signs weather-ready and illuminated?
Brand Managers – Are your assets reflecting your brand consistently?
Health & Safety Leads – Are your signs certified to withstand wind loading and exposure?
Partner with Experts in Estate Signage
At Astley, we support national brands with comprehensive signage audits, proactive maintenance programmes, and full rebranding rollouts. Our BS EN 1090 certification means we can assess and manufacture structural signage safely and in full compliance with legislation—ideal for larger format signs and wind-exposed areas.
Don’t leave it to chance. Fix the roof while the sun is shining.
Following the retirement of Gavin Redhead after 29 years at Astley, we are delighted to be able to announce that James Mavi has stepped into the Managing Director role at Astley.
Expertise
James was hired as Head of Sales in 2018 before moving into the Sales & Marketing Director role since 2022.
James has played a major role in driving our sales performance and business growth and has offered insight into customer relationships and market dynamics which has been instrumental in positioning us as a trusted partner to clients across a wide range of industries.
As Managing Director, James intends to build upon the company’s solid foundation while introducing new initiatives to futureproof operations and enhance service delivery.
“I’m incredibly excited about where the company is going and have always believed that Astley is genuinely unique in this sector, having always been the leader in key areas such as innovation and now sustainability,” says James.
“My new role means that I’m simply building on our success to date and I’m proud I get to play an important part in the company’s story.”
Focus
James will review our core business processes, identifying opportunities for increased efficiency, service enhancement, and meaningful progress across all areas of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activity.
His leadership will focus on embedding ESG principles into the heart of Astley operations, from environmental performance and ethical governance to fostering a positive, inclusive workplace culture for all employees.
“I’ve always said that it’s our team that take us from good to great, and alongside producing quality branding solutions, I think that nurturing a positive environment for our workforce to thrive in is essential in the company’s success.”
#teamastley can’t wait to see how James drives us forward into a new chapter for the business.
