The AA marks 120 years since historic first road sign AA Signs, the signage division of the Automobile Association (AA), is marking 120 years since its first road sign was erected in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. AA Signs began in 1906, a year after The AA was founded. The organisation began erecting village signs as local councils did not consider it their responsibility at the time, with its first AA sign erected in Hatfield to show the place name and mileages to nearby towns including St Albans. By 1939, around 30,000 AA signs had been erected, before most were removed at the outbreak of the Second World War to prevent them being used by enemy forces for navigation in the event of an invasion. Afterthewar,responsibility for road signage moved to local authorities, causing AA Signs to shift its signage output. Today, it supports major public events, state occasions, and sporting fixtures including Glastonbury, The Open Golf, Royal Ascot, the London Olympics, and Wimbledon. The Big Print Network sees major expansion with host of new members The Big Print Network (TBPN), a newly-launched ambassador programme for wide- and superwideformat printers and sign-makers, has seen a host of recent signups, representing a cross-section of the UK industry. Launched by media and hardware supplier, Innotech, earlier this year, TBPN gives carefully selected print businesses a ‘first sight’ of new Innotech products before they reach the wider market. FASTSIGNS Leicester North has become the latest member of TBPN, after meeting Innotech at a recent FASTSIGNS convention. Membership to TBPN will provide the newly launched Leicester signage franchise with early access to Innotech products, exclusive promotions, and marketing support, in exchange for championing Innotech materials to its customer base. Print provider, The Bracknell Print Room, became the inaugural member of TBPN, a company which has been operating since 1977 and is now in its third generation of family ownership. Imagink also recently become a member of TBPN, joining the likes of exhibition and display specialist, Time 2 Display, and retail graphics provider, Swytch Graphics. BSGA calls on industry to shape new BS 559-2 specification The British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) has released a new draft specification for public consultation, which is intended to support good practice throughout the operational lifecycle of interior and exterior signage. The specification, titled ‘BS 559-2 Interior and exterior signs - Part 2: Inspection and maintenance’, aims to work toward the development of a British standard for the inspection, maintenance, and ongoing management of sign assets. The standard is designed to promote greater consistency, clearer responsibilities, and improved safety outcomes across the industry, particularly in relation to long-term asset management and the ongoing management of sign assets. BS 559-2 forms part of the wider BS 559 series, with BS 559-1 addressing specification, design, and installation, and Part 2 focusing on inspection, maintenance, and ongoing asset management. The BSGA has played a key role throughout the development of the standard, with representatives contributing technical expertise to ensure the guidance reflects current industry practice and supports practical application across the sector. The public consultation provides an opportunity for members of the industry community and wider stakeholders to review the draft and submit comments before it is finalised. The BSGA hopes that this will include sign-makers, installers, specifiers, architects, facility managers, local authorities, and building owners. Following publication, the BSGA will continue to support members with guidance, briefings, and practical resources to assist understanding and implementation of the guidance and recommendations contained within the standard. Fitzpatrick Woolmer receives Royal Warrant Rochester-based outdoor signage company, Fitzpatrick Woolmer, has been chosen for a Royal Warrant, an official mark of recognition issued to companies or tradespeople who regularly supply goods or services to the British Royal Household. The Royal Warrant is directly granted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with applications handled annually through the Royal Warrant Holders Association. The companies that are granted the warrant are deemed to have demonstrated exceptional standards of quality and service to the Royal Household for at least five out of the past seven years. Fitzpatrick Woolmer has designed and manufactured bespoke signage for some of the UK’s most popular heritage and family visitor attractions for multiple decades, including the Sandringham Estate, RSPB sites, and National Trust locations. SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink 8 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 266 - August | September INDUSTRY | NEWS Fitzpatrick Woolmer’s MD, Mark Woolmer [pictured] received the Royal Warrant at an official event BSGA welcomes public consultation on BS 559-2 until August 19th, 2026 By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert The historic signage business has grown from early village signs into a specialist signage provider [L to R] Jake Eames, regional sales manager at Innotech, with Yaser Khan, managing director of FASTSIGNS Leicester North
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