What a night and firstly, a huge congratulations to the organisers of the UK Graphic Awards. We’re thrilled to say that our work on the Co-op labstores won GOLD in the Printed signage category (sponsored by ISA UK) and the Lofts & Hustle won SILVER in the Leisure and Hospitality (sponsored by Vism).
We couldn’t be prouder of our team and their hard work on these amazing projects and it’s amazing that it’s been acknowledged…twice!
To assist us along our journey to net Zero, its important that we are aware of the products available to us.
We recently invited one of our suppliers to give our teams information on products to enable us to speak to clients about them, to helps differentiate ourselves from competitors and add options for considerations.
Everyone that attended found it very interesting and with better understanding of products and application can now confidently offer these options to clients.
We had a fantastic night at the Make UK awards last night with both of our shortlisted apprentices coming away with awards in their respective categories!
A huge thank you to everyone at Make UK for putting on such a great event and we couldn’t be prouder of the lads representing our company!
We’ve recently had the pleasure of hosting Rich Cross, a renowned service station enthusiast and an industry social media influencer in the PFS sector, at our head office and factory in Gateshead.
Rich Cross, who has been passionate about service stations since childhood, travels up and down the country rating the best service stations in the UK. His enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of service stations allow him to update Motorway Services Online to ensure it is the UK’s largest motorway services database.
During his visit, Rich toured our custom-built facility in Gateshead. Covering 62k sq. feet of space and fully equipped with all the latest industry processes, this facility demonstrates the sheer scale and capacity of our offering as a signage provider – especially in the PFS industry.
Having supported petroleum brands for over 15 years, we are considered the UK supplier of choice for this sector’s signage and brand graphics. Being know as the ‘go to’ branding partner for this sector, we provide the design, manufacture and installation of forecourt assets such as canopies, kiosk signage and totems for a variety of global brands such as MFG, JET, and Texaco as well as grocery clients such as Sainsbury’s, Asda and Central Co-op.
Rich Cross said,
We have a long-standing reputation for producing exceptional signage for a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality, and PFS. The signage company is also now one of the lead manufacturers for supporting EV and new energy brands with the production of environmental graphics at their electric forecourts in the UK.
Our Head of Projects, Anth, commented – “It was a pleasure to have Rich visit us at Astley, There isn’t a thing that Rich doesn’t know about motorway services, so it was a pleasure to show him the behind-the-scenes of how some of these forecourts come to life. We wish Rich all the best on the road and hope to catch up with him soon”.
Many industries within the UK are facing a skills shortage. The manufacturing sector in particular has seen the ongoing challenge of a lack of skilled workers and an ageing workforce. As the industry grows and technology evolves, the demand for skilled workers has increased, and in turn, widened the gap between technical roles and qualified persons.
What’s more, many experienced workers are starting to retire, taking with them decades of valuable industry knowledge, skills, and expertise. The number of entrants into the industry is not significant enough to balance this loss, therefore widening the skills gap even further.
To combat this, investment in staff training and development is vital. Training ensures that companies enhance productivity, maintain operational excellence and remain competitive in an incredibly dynamic market.
We pride ourselves on investing in the training and development of talent. From signage bootcamps to internal workshops and apprenticeship schemes, we aim to weave valuable learning into every career journey, whether that is in the office or on the shopfloor.
We are always learning. Industries constantly evolve, and new trends and practices emerge. The signage industry is no different – the dynamic nature of the sector means there is always room to adapt and learn, whether you are a signage newbie or signage veteran.
That’s why we have thoroughly enjoyed having #teamastley attend Sam Armstrong’s Make it Happen signage training in Leicester, expanding and refining our knowledge on all things signage!
From in-depth product knowledge and selling techniques to hands-on letter making, Sam’s workshops cover all bases. What’s most special about Sam’s workshops, however, is how various signage companies are brought into a room as total strangers and then end the day with wishes of good luck and goodbye hugs.
This just goes to show the power of personalised experiences and involvement when in a learning setting. With a maximum of 10 people in one of Sam’s workshops, this allows for active participation and an open dialogue that often results in feedback and solutions that are beneficial for the whole room.
Personalised experiences improve levels of engagement, knowledge retention, and allow those to apply what they’ve learnt in a practical context. Another great example of this? Apprenticeships.
By focusing on active participation, mentorship, integrated learning, personalised training, and direct feedback, apprenticeship schemes create a hands-on and tailored learning setting.
At Astley, we pride ourselves on providing apprenticeship schemes and developing the next generation of signage professionals. We have apprentices spread across our Marketing and Finance departments, and as we have had great success over the past few years with our young talent, we have recently taken on three new apprentices on the shopfloor in our Metalshop and Assembly departments.
Not only do apprenticeships invite the development and growth of young careers, but they also aim to tackle the issue of our ageing workforce and bridge the gap between two generations. By facilitating the transfer of knowledge, ensuring workforce continuity, and honing the skills of a digitally advanced generation, apprenticeships help maintain the skills and expertise necessary for the industry to thrive.
Despite continuous technological advancements within the manufacturing industry, many young people still hold outdated perceptions of manufacturing as a low-tech, heavy labour sector.
The signage industry doesn’t embody this perception. Signage is characterised by its creativity, vibrancy, and innovation. It offers tailored teaching, diverse career opportunities, and a community of experts who are passionate about their craft.
As a unique sector, this emphasises the importance of training and honing brilliant craftsmanship. Companies that prioritize training are not only better equipped to meet current skill shortages but also positioned to lead and innovate in an ever-evolving market. Investing in training is, therefore, investing in the future of the company and its workforce.
At astley, training and development has been instrumental in the overall business strategy since its inception, and we are always on the lookout for young, skilled talent.
In a modern landscape where e-commerce plays a huge part in retail sales, it’s important to recognise the value of having a physical presence on the high street.
Many retailers have adopted an omnichannel approach, in which they deliver a consistent brand experience across physical stores and online channels. As technology develops and customer expectations evolve, it is crucial to adapt to these changes and stay relevant in an incredibly dynamic market.
Many sectors, including the FMCG sector (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), have fully embraced both the online and offline retail experience and are consistently implementing new ways to increase customer engagement – especially within their physical stores.
One of the key strategies? Retail concessions.
Retail concessions are nothing new. They have always been a vital component of modern retail strategies to entice customers and increase footfall.
A retail concession offers a store-in-store experience, allowing a brand to establish a physical presence within another brand’s store. This introduces a diverse range of products into the store and provides an element of exclusivity to the concession brand.
In the modern retail landscape, experiential marketing has become a key strategy for building brand awareness and engaging customers. Customers want to feel like they aren’t just buying something, but rather that they are experiencing something. Retail concessions give that sense of experience, as the introduction of such spaces transforms the everyday mundanity of grocery shopping and push the concept of experiential environments.
By creating a community-centric space in which customers can browse, linger and even dine, this turns the somewhat chore of shopping into that of an experience.
Astley has manufactured and installed signage for Starbucks concessions within Sainsbury’s.
With the rise in online retail and click-and-collect shopping, it has become imperative for retailers to focus on ways to bring customers back into the physical store. Supermarket concessions in particular have proved to be a good method for repurposing large supermarket sites, as they not only help to boost store footfall and profitability for the main grocer but also increase footfall for the concession brand.
One of the most popular concessions within these superstores is food and beverage brands, with the biggest grocers establishing partnerships with names such as Costa Coffee and Starbucks. The success of these concessions has proven the power of brand familiarity, as customers are more likely to engage and purchase from brands that they know and love. There is so much value in brand partnerships!
A partnership we are incredibly proud of is with Sainsbury’s, who we have been supporting for over 20 years now with their brand graphics, managing rebrand and refresh programmes and seasonal campaign work across their UK sites. Since their acquisition of Argos back in 2016, Astley has had the pleasure of completing the works for their Argos concessions.
We have also had the pleasure of manufacturing the branding for other concessions within Sainsbury’s, including Timpson, Specsavers, Costa, Starbucks, and Sushi Gourmet. Sainsbury’s has truly embraced retail concessions to help support their multi-channel growth strategy and has proven the value of providing floor space to like-minded brands.
Since Sainsbury’s acquired Argos back in 2016, astley has had the pleasure of completing the works for their Argos concessions.
Signage plays a huge part in guiding customers through the retail landscape. From entrance signage to in-store wayfinding, these touchpoints ensure we know exactly where we are going.
Not only does signage direct you through the store, but it also helps to create an immersive branded environment and experience. The creative design of retail concessions can determine the success of these store-in-store concepts, and so, this is where signage comes in.
The use of distinctive graphics and clever displays can help concession brands to stand out in busy retail environments. From fascia signage to wall graphics and display stands, the use of branded elements allows the concession brand to be seen and experienced.
Astley works on concessions for various grocery retailers, including ASDA and Sainsbury’s
Whether it’s a brand new development or a rebrand of an existing site, Astley has assisted with the planning and visualisation of store environments, offering years of expertise in brand implementation.
A store should be more than just the product that it sells. It should entice, engage, and provide an experiential environment to customers. At Astley, we can help bring that environment to life.
The leisure and hospitality sector is one of the largest industries in the UK. It covers a wide array of businesses and venues, from restaurants and bars to tourism, sports centres and casinos.
One of the hardest challenges in the sector is keeping up with, and responding to ever-changing consumer preferences. Today, these preferences are shaped by the continuous evolution of technology and a shift towards personalisation and inclusivity.
Now, leisure and hospitality no longer just offer services – they offer experiences.
So, where does signage come in?
In the leisure and hospitality industry, first impressions are everything – and signage plays a huge part in this. Signage is not only decorative but is a functional component that enhances the communication, navigation, and comfort of a customer’s journey.
From greeting the customer, providing navigational guidance, and creating a cohesive branded environment, signage plays a vital role in seeing the customer through their journey from start to finish.
And what’s a journey without a story? Effective signage uses design elements and textual cues to create a cohesive and compelling brand narrative. A well-designed story will be threaded throughout each touchpoint of the customer journey, from the entrance sign to the interior wayfinding.
A visitor, customer, or worker within a venue will need to feel inspired and connected with the surroundings.
A great example of this is our award-winning work at Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery for Ad Gefrin. The main objective of the signage and ambient graphics was to complement the architecture and represent the history of the venue and brand. This was achieved through a variety of exterior, interior, and wayfinding elements made from a combination of timber and stone.
The intricate Celtic design was woven throughout each signage element and reflected the brand’s rich heritage throughout the whole customer experience, from the Ad Gefrin roundel mounted on the external wall as a focal point to the museum to the wayfinding totems.
This inspires curiosity in not only the natural surroundings but also the cultural background of the visitor centre itself.
Hotels, casinos, leisure centres and more all face a similar challenge within their spaces – indoor navigation. Alleviating wayfinding anxiety throughout these environments is key in creating a comfortable and positive customer experience, and can be done so through effective and considerate wayfinding signage.
Strategic placement is fundamental to creating a seamless journey throughout a venue. Intuitive wayfinding signage should be placed at regular intervals and should show clear, concise directions that simplify complex areas.
Not only should effective wayfinding help to navigate a space but it should also reinforce a brand’s visual identity. Using consistent colours, logos, fonts and design helps to strengthen a brand’s presence and make wayfinding elements easily recognisable to the customer.
Braille and tactile signage are also crucial in creating an environment that is comfortable and accessible to everyone. Featuring raised braille text, symbols, and high-contrast colours, this inclusive signage allows maps and wayfinding assets to be understood by colour and touch.
With the rapid development of technology, customer experiences are expected to be faster, easier, and more personalised.
Mobile technology is now elevating the wayfinding experience within the sector, with spaces such as hotels and museums using mobile apps to bridge the gap between physical and digital wayfinding. These mobile apps can offer real-time navigational assistance and a wealth of supplementary information that enhances the overall customer experience.
As well as mobile apps, digital signage can also act as key components throughout venues, allowing for instant information updates and personalised content.
At astley, we appreciate these ever-changing developments and are proud to be able to support customers with digital signage solutions. From totems to window displays and interactive touchscreens, we can offer digital hardware that is ideal for a variety of environments.
Like in any other industry, customer needs and expectations are continuously changing in the leisure and hospitality sector.
From accessible signage to seamless wayfinding schemes and immersive brand storytelling, there are so many elements that can contribute to the overall customer experience. What’s important is not to underestimate the power of signage and how it can heavily influence a branded environment by the way we choose to, or choose not to, use it.
Our vast experience in multiple sectors means that we offer expert levels of consultancy on how to create these unique and highly bespoke spaces.
Fully supported by in-house design, prototyping, surveying and auditing, mixed media workshops, fabrication, digital print and vinyl application services and all backed by industry accreditations, the resource and capacity we offer for branding projects of all sizes is unrivalled.
The leisure and hospitality sector is incredibly dynamic, covering all kinds of venues from hotels and restaurants to amusement parks, holiday resorts and sports centres.
Without even realising, signage plays a huge part in our experiences at these venues. Not only do signs guide and inform visitors, but they also shape the environment and create an immersive experience from the get-go.
Effective signage in these settings is crucial to the overall customer experience, from the entrance through to the exit.
Consistency is key across any brand’s estate. The uniform use of colours, fonts, and logos across all signage is crucial to reinforcing a brand’s identity and creating a cohesive visual experience.
For example, a successful hotel signage scheme will welcome and immerse customers into an environment that encompasses the brand’s vision. Whether that is a stylish boutique hotel or a modern hotel franchise, the signage will reflect the style and personality of the brand throughout the customer journey, from the reception area to the wayfinding scheme.
Leisure and hospitality facilities can be vast and complex, making it easy for visitors to get lost and disorientated. An often overlooked element of signage, wayfinding allows customers to navigate their way seamlessly through these venues.
As well as fulfilling its functional role by providing directional instructions, well-designed wayfinding can enhance the aesthetics of the environment and foster a positive experience through a strong brand identity.
Good signage reduces confusion and frustration. Excellent signage reduces confusion while also ensuring consistency and immersing visitors in a branded experience. Our in-house design studio at Gateshead is ideally placed to design wayfinding schemes for clients and fully understand the art of navigation design, as they are highly experienced in translating these spaces from concept to completion.
Many brands are now starting to differentiate themselves by offering something unique with the way they design their property and its signage. Instead of focusing solely on function, brands are implementing features that add a touch of personalisation and character to transform their environment into something memorable. The hotel reception, for example, gives the first impression for guests and sets the tone for the rest of their stay. Crafting the artistic vision and detail of this space is crucial in making a stay unforgettable, and ultimately, in encouraging return visits.
From vibrant murals and neon lettering to immersive wayfinding schemes or interactive screens, these assets are so effective in creating an inviting atmosphere and reflecting a brand’s messaging.
In February of 2024, Astley were awarded Gold for Rollout of the Year at the Sign & Wrap Awards for our work on Leonardo Hotels. This extensive program encompassed the complete rebranding of 38 hotels across the UK from the Jurys Inn brand to Leonardo Hotels.
This project highlighted the importance of ensuring brand consistency across each hotel and across various substrates in order to achieve a cohesive and solid branded estate.
It was vital that the proposed designs were sympathetic to the style of the architecture and surroundings, but also that they didn’t stray too far from the old branding. It was also crucial to ensure colour matching across multiple substrates, such as acrylic, print and powdercoating. Prototyping was therefore an essential stage of this design process as it allowed us to support Leonardo’s with their rebrand, from our sample showroom to the final outcome.
At Astley, we are passionate about providing a thorough and highly detailed service. Our highly efficient production services are complimented by our in-house design and creative services, offering clients an additional resource to conceptualise, plan and design signage programmes.
Specialising in design, fabrication, print and digital, we continue to test the limits of what signage can really be, from the hospitality sector and beyond.
We are proud to say we are now one of the first signmakers to be publishing a net zero roadmap with a commitment to achieving net zero by 2040.
Since embarking on our net zero journey in 2022, we have been committed to taking considerable steps towards reducing our carbon footprint.
With short term, medium and a long-term objectives, astley has developed a robust plan to help address climate change and drive meaningful actions that will contribute to the end goal of becoming net zero.
Just as we became the first UK signmaker to become a zero-waste-to-landfill partner, we believe we are also leading the way in our approach to becoming net zero and ultimately, improving the world that we inhabit.
As it’s #InternationalWomensDay, we sat down with Ruth, our Procurement Manager at Astley who provided her own insight on working within the manufacturing industry.
As a manufacturer in a predominantly male industry, we are aware of the struggle in our sector to recruit and help support women’s career progression.
We pride ourselves in doing all we can to continue changing the landscape of women in manufacturing and challenging these stereotypes, and we couldn’t be more proud of our leading ladies at Astley!