SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink 6 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 265 - June | July INDUSTRY | NEWS Ellis Signs bounces back after devastating fire Pets in Print 2026 winner revealed Local shop receives apology, 15 years after its sign was stolen Outcry after Cumbria businesses told to remove signage UK sign-maker, Ellis Signs, has reported an extraordinary recovery weeks after its facility was ravaged by fire. Emergency services attended Patterson Street in Blaydon at 4am on March 25th, where a fire broke out at the Ellis Signs factory and office, destroying a significant portion of the facility. While nobody was physically harmed by the fire, reports stated that the blaze partially destroyed both the interior and the building’s roof. A spokesperson for the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service reported that five pumping appliances were in attendance along with specialist vehicles. The news garnered a significant response on social media, with many professionals in the signage industry offering their sympathies and help to Ellis Signs. Businesses including RMC Digital Print, Doghouse Installations, and Graffiti Design all offered their services regarding any signage work or projects. Following on from the fire, the Ellis Sign team worked tirelessly to rebuild its operations, find new facilities to operate from, and minimise the impact to its customers and clients. The company is now working from new offices alongside a new factory space. Two weeks after the blaze, Ellis Signs managed to bring its production back on track and continue serving its clients with their signage needs. Gus the dog has won the third annual Pets in Print competition, held by material supplier, Innotech Digital and Display. This year's judging panel included Gail Coles from The Dogs Trust, which Innotech partnered with to raise over £500 for in the month of March with donations via orders over £150. Coles judged the competition alongside Colin Sinclair McDermott, the Online Print Coach, Jack Gocher and Kathryn Ridout fromEye on Display, andCarys Evans from Karis Copp Media. Announcing the winner, Innotech highlighted Gus’ role as production assistant, saying that he gets involved in a range of activities from artwork monitoring to the aforementioned forklift supervision, all of which he does with the now signature Pets in Print bandana which is supplied to entrants of the competition. “The judges particularly noted his dexterity and versatility at work while still posing beautifully,” says Tony Murgatroyd, regional sales manager for Innotech. Exotica Foods supermarket in Swansea received an anonymous apology and £100 in cash for the theft of a temporary PVC banner – which was stolen 15 years ago. The letter, sent by “a former foolish student”, was sent by a person who said they had stolen the sign after a night of drinking. As of the date of writing, the identity of the former signage thief remains a mystery. One of the only clues is that the letter was postmarked in West Yorkshire. While the £100 received goes "nowhere near the cost” of replacing the temporary sign, which cost about £1,200 not including installation, Imran Ashraf, owner of Exotica Foods, says that the money will go towards a custom gazebo for outside his shop so that “we can start doing some cooking videos this summer". Business owners at an industrial estate in Workington, Cumbria, have voiced concerns after being ordered to remove outdoor advertising signage from their units. The companies based at the Buddle Road section of the Clay Flatts industrial estate have received letters from their landlord, Northern Trust, stating that their signage would be removed to be replaced with more ‘uniform’ signage. Many of the businesses raised concerns about the money they already spent on the signage, the impact that the signage removal will have on their trade, and what they see as unequal treatment. Northern Trust says that it is fully funding the new signage installations themselves, as part of a rebranding programme. One of the affected businesses, CHP Supplies, claims that larger national companies at the estate including Toolstation and Howdens Joinery have not had letters about their signage. Some of the occupants have reportedly asked Northern Trust to be moved on to the same contracts as these national companies, however, they were told this would not be possible. The shop owner hopes to discover the identity of the former signage thief, saying “it would be quite funny” Ellis Signs was able to find a new production facility mere days after the fire [Pictured] Gus from Big Art and Banners with his Pets in Print trophy By Jonathan Pert By David Osgar By Jonathan Pert
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