Tamworth’s historic castle is fully in the ‘spot light’

June 15th 2021

Tamworth Castle is fully under the spotlight as a brand new external lighting scheme designed to showcase the attraction, is now officially lighting up the town.

The project has seen the existing lights replaced with a more modern, versatile and energy efficient solution, including a variety of colours, which will make the most of the castle’s stunning architectural features and raise its profile on a regional and national stage.

The previous lighting of 11 orange sodium lights, has now been replaced with a LED scheme that fully illuminates the castle to stunning and dramatic effect, as well as exploring options for projection, themed lighting.

On Tuesday, June 8, the first of two night’s successful testing of the new lighting took place. This displayed the castle exterior in multiple colours including a running rainbow. From Thursday, June 10, the castle will be lit every evening in a splendid multi technicolour.

A.C. Special Projects have working alongside Lighting Design Consultants LAPD to deliver the Tamworth Castle Lighting Scheme. Their role in this prestigious project has completed installation, programming and commissioning of the lighting system in accordance with LAPDs Lighting Design.

Mike Brown, Director of LAPD Lighting Design, said: “We are very pleased that the new castle lighting has now been successfully revealed.

“The colour changing lights enable a subtle or dramatic scene control; applying variations in intensity or colour of light across the façade.

“It has been a great project to work in partnership with AC Special projects for Tamworth Castle. The new lighting will reduce energy consumption and minimise maintenance whilst giving more light and more colour variation for Tamworth events.”

Cllr Jeremy Oates, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “I have been really excited by this project and I’m delighted that our big plans for Tamworth Castle are starting to take shape as we work on developing it even further as a major tourist attraction for the town.

“The lighting scheme is now officially launched and is already making a huge difference in allowing the castle to take more of a centre stage.

“The existing lights were no longer fit for purpose, so it was the right time to showcase something much more impressive and eye-catching to show the castle off in the best possible light.

“We also want to be able to take advantage of the various national events that see buildings lit up in different colours and have therefore included colour changing capabilities into the specification. This will include the up and coming event of the towns’ first ever ‘Tamworth Pride’.

“At the same time, we needed to make sure the lights are more energy efficient than what we previously had. The old units were a collection of different bulb types and inefficient power ratings.

“The castle is fundamental to Tamworth’s heritage and the continued evolution of Tamworth as a town fit for the 21st century.”