On the 6th November 2007 Queen Elizabeth II officially opened St Pancras International, bringing truly high-speed rail services to the UK for the first time. Following an £800 million renovation, St Pancras has now become a ‘destination station' with major retail outlets accompanying the 12 train platforms and Eurostar international services. The opening drew attention from around the world, so Designplan is proud to have delivered custom-made lighting on time and on budget for such a prestigious landmark project.


No short-cuts or half-measures were ever going to be suitable for the renovation, as all materials used in the project are designed to perform to the highest standards over the longest time-scales. The specifiers made no exception when it came to the light fittings: Designplan provided more than 5,000 custommade units to illuminate almost every area of the station, including the Eurostar departures and arrivals lounge situated in the undercroft. Designplan product technicians coordinated with the engineering team at the CORBER consortium to design and manufacture the ideal light fittings to satisfy the requirements of the brief.
For decades before its recent refurbishment, the engineering excellence and Gothic architecture of St Pancras station had been overlooked with years of neglect and decay. The whole structure was due to be demolished during the 1960s, but was saved at the eleventh-hour by Sir John Betjemen's determined group of campaigners. Now 46 years and nearly a billion pounds have passed since it was spared from destruction, and the ‘Cathedral of the Railways' is a gleaming international transport hub - rivalling the finest train stations in the world for grandeur and functionality.       
Throughout the station, Designplan's flexibility shines through. Jay Newton, from Emcor Rail, said: "Designplan's service was excellent, from the initial consultation through to the manufacture and implementation. They were able to work closely with every contractor and tailor their products to match our precise requirements." 
From the smallest light along the tug ramps to the rows of bespoke ceiling-mounted fittings, Designplan has successfully delivered world-class lighting for what is arguably the most admired modern railway station in the world.