Cancer Research, Wisbech

Cancer Research UK Makes High-Efficiency Lighting a Cornerstone of Latest Retail Upgrade.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving lives through research. The charity has a network of nearly 600 shops across the UK that help fund pioneering research into beating cancer.

The charity recently embarked upon an initiative designed to ensure its shops are of a look and feel comparable to that of other enduring high street brands. Their aim was to enhance perceptions of the charity’s shops, and in particular guarantee the interest of a younger generation of consumers.

The initiative incorporated a comprehensive review of redecoration, various fixtures and fittings that complement the brand, not least the lighting installations. Cancer Research UK’s Retail Estates Manager Nigel Wighton has overseen the specification of lighting for new shops, plus a review and upgrade of the lighting to the rest of the estate.

Superstore Lighting

All of these threads came together in a recent project centered upon Cancer Research UK’s first ‘superstore’ in England, located at the Cromwell Retail Park in the Cambridgeshire market town of Wisbech.

From the very start of the refit scheme, Nigel has been acutely aware of the transformative possibilities of next-generation lighting. He says: “In retail, effective lighting design is a vital link to the overall environment and has improved sales, as if visitors feel comfortable in the environment, it makes sense that they are more likely to linger and ultimately purchase something. Then there are the benefits of the greater lifecycle – meaning fewer failures and a lower number of maintenance call-outs – as well as significantly lower energy consumption. A win-win.”

Cancer Research UK had already deployed LED solutions from leading UK-based manufacturer Tamlite during the refit project for the whole estate, completed this summer, with subsequent results indicating that average weekly incomes rose significantly post-refurbishment.

To nominate just one example, percentage uplift at the Armley store to the west of Leeds was a remarkable 49% during the first year after the refit was completed. It was therefore a fairly straightforward decision to make Tamlite the basis of the lighting infrastructure for the Wisbech installation.

Tamlite Transformation

Cancer Research UK approved a fit-out based around Tamlite EDGE LEDs which have been widely acclaimed for their ease-of-installation, efficient operation and suitability for all manner of commercial applications. A number of other Tamlite products, notably FIRESTAR MINI LEDs, were also specified during the refit project of Cancer Research UK’s almost 600 strong retail estate.

Nigel Wighton explains: “We had been very impressed with the performance of the Tamlite LED fixtures at our other locations so, following agreement with the shop development team, the inclination was again to opt for their solutions at our new superstore at Wisbech. Once again, the process of installing the Tamlite products was remarkably straightforward and the quality of the lighting is excellent.”

It is over the long-term that Cancer Research UK will really register the benefits of its next-generation lighting fit-out. With an expected lifespan of 50,000 hours, the charity is poised to achieve a significant reduction in maintenance costs – no small consideration in shops such as Wisbech, where the high ceilings mean that cherry pickers and closure are a necessity to access and change any failed fixtures.

Then there is the probable dramatic impact on Cancer Research UK’s energy bills, with the charity sure to be encouraged that other retail chains and industrial sites have saved between 40% and 60% on their lighting expenses having made the decision to ‘go Tamlite’.

The low-heat output of the Tamlite LEDs also promises to be hugely advantageous. “Our stores are glass-fronted and can obviously become very hot during the summer period,” says Nigel Wighton. “Older-style light fittings would inevitably have intensified the problem, but with the Tamlite LED equipment we would expect these replacements to assist and reduce the problem of heat in the shops.

“Property costs are constantly under review at Cancer Research UK for potential savings and with Tamlite lighting we can be confident that we will get the best possible ROI.”

If you have specific lighting requirements in your retail store, see how our Technical Lighting Team can help you.

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