Astra Group, a UK full-service provider of signage solutions, has completed a seven-figure wayfinding contract for Manchester Airport. The company was tasked with designing, manufacturing, and installing new signage throughout the international airport’s new Terminal 2, aiming to make traveller navigation easier and more efficient. The wayfinding project, delivered by Astra in collaboration with contractors MACE Group and BAM Construction, took two years to complete including design, production, and installation. The contract saw a significant number of products delivered by Astra spanning the airport approach, forecourt, check in and departure desks, and pier. The contract forms part of Manchester Airport Group’s £1.3bn transformation of the UK’s third largest airport into a “key global gateway”, with the aim of increasing the number of passengers passing through the transport hub from an average of 2,300 per hour to 7,000. Speaking more about the challenges of the project, Dyke adds: “This was a complex programme with significant technical challenges, requiring an innovative and carefully coordinated approach to ensure full Aviation Security in Airport Development (ASIAD) compliance while aligning with the wider vision for the space. “We are grateful for the collaborative approach taken by Manchester Airports Group, Mace Group, and BAM Construction throughout the programme. Delivering a project of this scale demanded close partnership and shared commitment, and we’re extremely pleased with the result achieved together.” The two-year contract included installing new signage throughout Manchester Airport’s new Terminal 2 Nine red telephone boxes in Preston are set to be reimagined using bespoke LED technology, introducing a new public ‘digital art’ feature to the city centre. Digital display specialist, ADI, has unveiled plans for a new installation on Market Street, where traditional Grade II listed telephone boxes will be transformed to showcase curated digital artwork and community-led content. ADI has been commissioned by Preston City Council, who have bought and restored the listed telephone boxes using government funding. Located along the Preston Flag Market in the heart of the city, the telephone boxes will be fitted with LED displays designed to deliver visuals while integrating into the surrounding streetscape. Working with Preston-based architects, Studio John Bridge, the installation has been designed for optimal viewing from across the street and aims to provide Preston City Council with a platform to showcase digital art, seasonal themes, and locally relevant content throughout the year. The installation will use ADI’s own MT Series of digital screens, a lightweight and slimline LED display product with design features that aim to promote energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability over its operational lifespan. According to ADI, the installation also incorporates discreet audio, with speakers installed to provide subtle ambient sound. Plans for the installation have been submitted by Preston City Council with more details on the installation date yet to be announced. The screens will showcase digital art, seasonal themes, and locally relevant content By Jonathan Pert Preston telephone boxes set to be transformed Signs Express Belfast and material supplier, Drytac, have collaborated on a project for the Belfast Giants, an Elite Ice Hockey League team based at the SEE Arena. The team at Signs Express used Drytac’s SpotOn White M50 monomeric PVC film to create ice rink board graphics where the Belfast Giants play their home games. The graphics were used for several games in the Champions Hockey League, which is the largest club ice hockey competition in Europe. A part of the Signs Express franchise, Signs Express Belfast has run since 1999 under the management of Brendan O’Donnell, who was later joined by his daughter Cathy Johnston in 2000. Johnston took over the business in 2006 and ensured she built on her father’s legacy after his passing in 2019. Signs Express Belfast has been providing rink side advertising to the Giants since the ice hockey team was formed 25 years ago. For this latest project, a solution was needed that could be easily overlaid over the permanent league graphics and removed afterwards with no damage. SpotOn White M50 was purchased from Premier GPMI, Drytac’s exclusive stockist in Ireland. The material features a unique removable dot-pattern adhesive and features light-blocking properties that make it 50% more opaque than standard SpotOn White. The graphics were printed on an Epson SureColor S80600 which resulted in high colour accuracy for the branding of sponsors, which was crucial due to the games being broadcast on Sky TV. According to Drytac, SpotOn White M50 enabled fast, efficient installation of rink-side graphics Signs Express Belfast plays it cool with Drytac APPLICATIONS | NEWS Astra Group completes seven-figure Manchester Airport contract By David Osgar 15 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026
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