LDJ Lights

Our Blog Has Moved...

2010-11-11T14:48:00.000Z

We've just moved our blog over to our website at http://www.ldj-lights.co.uk/blog

If you're reading this through an atom / rss reader, please update your feed url.

Thank You.

Episode 4

2010-10-29T09:00:00.002+01:00

Things are really getting hectic now; the next three weeks are the very busiest time for us.

You probably look upon the Christmas lights switch-on as the real start of the festive shopping season when you go along to admire the decorations and maybe see Santa, but we bet you’ve never given much thought to how the centre gets transformed over the space of just a few hours.

We work at the dead of night once the centre’s shops have closed and everyone has gone home. Usually at this time of night there are only security guards and cleaners working in the centre and it can be quite eerie and chilly and all the sound echoes around the empty spaces. However, on the night our installation team is there it hums with life. The whole team arrive in plenty of time and park in the goods inward area of the centre. Everyone gets togged up in their hi-vis safety gear whilst they wait for the large loading bay doors to be rolled back. Once this has happened everything can be unloaded which is a very long job in itself.

The decorations are transported to the site in large wagons, which are unloaded gradually, there’s an awful lot of stuff inside them and even quite a small centre will need two wagons to carry all its decorations. It’s surprising just how many decorations are needed to fill all the voids and they make up a very bulky load, as it’s so important that they arrive undamaged. The coffin boxes containing smaller arrangements of baubles, snowflakes or stars are unloaded first, followed by the big racks on which the larger garlands and swags are transported to prevent them getting squashed.

Eventually everything is sitting safely inside the centre, ready to be carried to its allotted place. Just time for a quick pep talk from the project manager and let the action begin!

Episode 3

2010-10-22T12:57:00.000+01:00

Each of our installation teams is led by an experienced project manager who travels round the country with them, working to make sure all the schemes are correctly and safely installed and that the quality is perfect. Every one of our in-house designers goes to the installation of the schemes they’ve designed to help make sure that the finished scheme looks exactly the same as the visuals that the client approved. Our Design Director is responsible for overseeing all the teams and travels all over the country making sure everything is going to plan.

Of course we don’t all go out, it’s a very busy time here in the offices as we never know what might crop up and we have to be prepared to turn our hand to anything that might need doing. Sometimes problems with hotels or travel arrangements need sorting out, spare parts might be needed urgently on site and we have to organise with a supplier to deliver them, any bits and pieces that might have been forgotten need to be sent or taken to the centres and, of course, we are always here to answer any queries you may have and to process your orders. It’s a challenging time for everybody and we all have to pull together but we usually manage to keep smiling. We pride ourselves on the quality of service we offer and in particular, our Operations Director is at the hub of the action, available 24/7 at this time to make sure we match up to the high standards we have set ourselves.

Episode 2

2010-10-18T11:27:00.000+01:00

We’re just about ready for installation now, everything’s been organised with as much attention to detail as a military operation. All the hired cars and vans we need to take our installers around the country have been arriving over this past week, all the tools and equipment are packed up, all the hotel rooms have been booked, all the ferry trips and flights are organised, everybody’s got their cases packed. The decorations are coming out of storage from our depots across Yorkshire ready to be loaded onto wagons to be taken around the country. They are stored hanging on racks or packed carefully into giant boxes (known as coffin boxes!), all padded in layer upon layer of bubble wrap to ensure they arrive in pristine condition with no baubles broken or garland squashed, we do always pack a few spares though, just in case. It’s all systems go!

Installation 2010 – Episode 1

2010-10-11T16:50:00.000+01:00

Have you ever wondered how giant-scale decorations are fixed in place?
In town and city centre schemes it’s quite easy to see the brackets on the lampposts and the wires and cables on the displays running across the street but the fixings aren’t quite so obvious in shopping centres. Next time you visit your local centre have a look upwards and see if you can spot anything.
Our prefix teams are out now ahead of our installation teams to do final site surveys. They put in place all the hooks and fastenings that the lights and decorations will hang from and make sure that all the power leads will be long enough to reach the sockets and so on and so forth. This forward planning can make all the difference between installation running to plan or it being problematic. All these fixings aren’t easy to spot the rest of the year but if you take a look once your centre’s all decorated; it’s interesting to be able to see where they all are.

Christmas Installation Diary 2010 - Prologue

2010-10-01T09:00:00.014+01:00

As you may know our sister company, LDJ Design and Display, based, like us, in Skipton, North Yorkshire, specialises in bespoke-designed displays of wonderful decoration schemes for shopping centres across the UK and Europe. We are surrounded by Christmas all the time as production is a year-round job for our specialist teams and we’re busy on the final run now, it’s a hive of activity in our workshops getting the last of this year’s displays ready and finishing packing them safely for transporting. We know that for most people Christmas is just a dot on the distant horizon but, in common with the retail sector, for us it’s just around

the corner. Although the beginning of October marks the start of the busiest time of our year, organisation for the installation of the decorations begins in February each year. We have to make sure that everything is in the right place at the right time so that the whole process runs smoothly and that everything is ready for our clients’ switch-on dates during November. There’s a buzz of excitement around the building at the moment as this year’s installation schedule is on the verge of beginning so check back next Friday for Episode 1 of Installation 2010.

URBAN ORIGAMI

2010-08-17T16:17:00.008+01:00

Our lights are not only used for the purpose of aesthetis at Christmas, parties or celebrations but are also featured in Jools Johnsons art work exhibited at PM Gallery & House in London.
The artwork in question, starts off as a constellation of lights that is run on pre set random mode. However, at certain random points the viewer is able to read the text within the artwork that spells out 'Will anyone miss me....?'

Put some Sparkle into your Wedding Day!

2010-05-13T13:43:00.014+01:00

Looking for inspiration on adding the finishing touches to creating that perfect romantic wedding ambiance? Then look no further...

We supply a range of coloured lights to suit any colour scheme, from decorative table lights to full scale twinkling light curtains, adding glitz to any top table backdrop.

Please see our website for the full range http://www.ldj-lights.co.uk or call us on 01756 693 900 for any help or advice you may require.

Linda lights up our screens with LDJ Lights

2010-04-06T14:40:00.003+01:00

Linda Barker has chosen to use LDJ's very own decorative LED fairy lights to brighten up Dorothy's room in Romford on Friday's (9th April) episode of 60 minute makeover.
http://www.itv.com/lifestyle/60minutemakeover/series7suppliers200910/romfordessex/default.html

Follow the link to purchase your set of warm white LED battery lights http://www.ldj-lights.co.uk/product/25_Bulb_Warm_White__LED_Battery_Lights/33/search/9715

Purple Apple Marketing Awards

2010-01-14T16:42:00.004Z

LDJ are proud to be the main sponsor for the BCSC Purple Apple Marketing Awards. The awards recongnise and reward effective shopping and town centre marketing within the UK retail industry. These awards showcase new industry standards of innovation, delivery and performance, taking shopping centre marketing to the next level.

For more information visit: http://www.bcsc.org.uk/purpleappleevents.asp

LDJ compete in charity run

2009-10-30T16:17:00.004Z

On 21st June 2009 LDJ staff competed in the Jane Tomlinson 10k run around Leeds to raise money for Jane's Appeal. An impressive £3,646 pounds was raised to see us all suffer, so we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who sponsored us. http://www.janesappeal.com/

Christmas Photograph Competition Winners

2009-02-11T09:37:00.005Z

We'd like to thank everyone for all their photographs sent in to us and congratulate our two winners, Steven Clarke (Devon) and Sarah Wright (Essex) for their excellent Christmas displays achieved with LDJ Lights.

We particularly thought that the Schooner photograph above was interesting, as it's not a typical Christmas decoration scheme and shows just how versatile our lights are.

Lakeside External Tree Installation

2009-01-27T10:45:00.005Z

22 hours in just under 3 mins, showing the installation of one of the biggest outdoor Christmas tree's in Britain, by the leading UK Christmas decoration company, LDJ Design & Display.

THE NEXT STELLA McCARTNEY COULD BE DESIGNING YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

2008-09-26T15:51:00.006+01:00

Next year the Christmas Decorations in your centre may be designed by a
famous architect, designer or writer of the future.

In a groundbreaking 3 year exclusive sponsorship LDJ Design & Display, the
UK’s leading retail decorations company is joining forces with Central Saint
Martins College of Art & Design, the UK’s foremost art and design college to research, design and develop tomorrow’s retail Christmas experience today.

Central Saint Martins - which includes amongst its alumni such famous names as Stella McCartney, Terence Conran, Peter Blake, Alexander McQueen, Lucian Freud,, John Galliano, Pierce Brosnan, Mike Leigh, Gerald Scarfe A A Gill, Hussein Chalayan, Simon Callow and Matthew Williamson - will be working with LDJ on a range of projects over the next 3 years aimed at improving the whole experience and look of Christmas within shopping centres.

LDJ’s managing director, Caroline Gamester, - herself a trained fashion designer who includes a stint working for Donna Karan in New York on her CV – said “ We always aim to stay one step ahead of our competition in bringing our clients new idea’s and what better way to do this than by working with a group of the brightest young creative minds around. Central Saint Martins also have wonderful contacts with a whole range of cutting edge technology companies and research institutes”

The particular course that LDJ have chosen to work with is the MA Creative Practise for Narrative Environments which pioneers collaborative practise among architects, designers, curators, writers and project managers.

But what is a narrative environment? Tricia Austin the course director at Central Saint Martins explains – “ A narrative environment is about unfolding stories into spaces The course is based on the premise that all environments, such as shopping centres, tell stories and that narrative is a fundamental and accessible way for people to make sense of places. Stories are implicit in the materials, structures, text, images, film, signs, sounds, sequences and uses of space.”

Tricia Austin continues – “We’re thrilled at the opportunity LDJ’s sponsorship gives our students to work together with them on real projects for real places.
Our collaboration with LDJ gives us the ideal opportunity to unfold the story of Christmas and its memories of childhood, joy and celebration and the giving of gifts into a shopping centre environment with the aim of increasing the number of visitors to that centre by providing a truly memorable experience”.

The course, which only started 3 years ago, is building an impressive reputation having already worked on commercial projects such as “The Airport of the Future” with Arup, “Arts Space of the Future” with Arts Council England and “The Stairway to Heaven” wayfinding system installed for the Hayward Gallery as well as winning the Royal Philharmonic Music Education Award for the PLAY.orchestra installation at the Southbank Centre.

To sum things up Caroline Gamester said – “I believe this will only be the start of a long term association between LDJ and Central St Martins which I’m sure will generate a host of exciting, creative and innovative ideas for our clients”.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Caroline Gamester at LDJ on 01756 693905 or at caroline@ldj-display.com

Or

Tricia Austin at Central St Martins on 0207 514 7000 or at p.austin@csm.arts.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

LDJ
Founded in 1987 by a brother and sister as the UK’s first professional Christmas display company, LDJ is now the market leader in the design, production and installation of commercial retail decorations, lighting displays and animation with over 100 shopping centre clients across the UK and Ireland. Based in Skipton, LDJ Design & Display Ltd was purchased by Trevor Smallwood (founder of the First Group) in 2002.

Central Saint Martins
Formed in 1989 from the merger of two, much older, colleges: the Central School of Arts & Crafts (founded in 1896) and St Martins School of Art (founded in 1854) Central Saint Martins provides specialist education and research in the fields of fine art, fashion & textiles, film, video and photography, graphics & communication design, three dimensional design, theatre & performance and interdisciplinary art & design. From the iconic designs of London’s red Routemaster buses and the chopper bike to theatrical productions like Phantom of the Opera and exquisite fashion at Dior and Chloe in Paris Central Saint Martins alumni have made a profound impact on our lives. Today the college attracts students from all over the world..

Straight Line v Loop Construction

2008-06-30T14:47:00.000+01:00

We've been asked by a number of customers to explain the difference between "straight line" and "loop" construction.
For "straight line" construction imagine a piece of string with two ends. The lights would go all along the string and there would be a plug at one end. Lights made in this way are often called "string" lights and can be used in almost any situation indoors or outside - on Christmas trees, outdoor trees or plants, around windows, across a mantlepiece etc
For "loop" construction imagine joining the two ends of the string together to make a loop. Again the lights would go all along the string but the plug would be where the two ends come together. Lights made in this way are great for Christmas trees but if you want to use them in a line - say across a mantlepiece, or around a window - they will only reach to half the length of "straight line" lights.
All our lights, with the exception of our Classic Fairy Lights are made in "straight line" construction as we think this is the most versatile.

LDJ To Light Up The Web

2008-06-03T11:48:00.000+01:00

LDJ, the UK’s leading supplier of Christmas lights, decorations and animated displays to major shopping centres throughout the UK and Eire announced the opening of it’s first Online E-Commerce shop at www.ldj-lights.co.uk

Caroline Gamester, LDJs managing director said “We’re thrilled to be able to offer Christmas lights of the same quality as we use in our major commercial displays for people to use at home”

LDJ Lights developed the range using the same exclusive factories as those supplying it’s major displays and they will all be manufactured and tested to the same rigorous standards.
As Caroline pointed out “If we have to take lights down in a shopping centre because they are faulty it costs us about £1000 each time so we have a huge incentive to make sure they work perfectly every time. They also have to be designed to operate almost continuously from late October until Christmas every day, each year for up to 5 years”.

The range, which was test marketed last Christmas at Europes largest shopping centre – the Metro Centre in Gateshead – has a comprehensive range of indoor and outdoor lights, LEDs, ropelights and traditional fairy lights, which are not only perfect for Christmas but also for weddings, parties, festivals and other special occasions.

LDJ lights have also developed their own branded Starsystem Connectable lights which enable up to 3000 LEDs to be run from just one plug.

For next Christmas the company intends to add battery LEDs and Icicle lights to it’s range.

For more information go to www.ldj-lights.co.uk

New LDJ Website Powered By Root Commerce

2008-06-03T10:47:00.000+01:00

LDJ’s new website has been developed using Root Commerce a unique system designed specially for online stores.

Andrew Lee, the deputy managing director of LDJ explains “When we decided to develop an online store we seemed to be faced with only two options; either to buy a cheap off the shelf, inflexible system or a really expensive bespoke alternative – neither of these were what we wanted”. After a lot of searching around LDJ found the Root Commerce system developed by Root Solutions a Newcastle based company.

Andrew continued “Root Commerce was perfect for us in that it could be made to look exactly the way we wanted for our brand, had a really simple to use administration system, and was easy to navigate for our customers”.

LDJ were also very concerned about security of personal data for shoppers on the site. Here Root Solutions suggested using Google Checkout as the safest and most secure option for taking payments as it did not involve the company in having to develop its own expensive and difficult to maintain data protection systems.

Having launched the site LDJ are now working with Root Solutions on Search Engine Optimisation and also to develop online stores on both Amazon and Ebay.

In summing everything up Andrew Lee said “Root Solutions have provided us with a One Stop Shop for our new online store which is not only stylish but also meets all our commercial requirements”

To vist the LDJ store go to www.ldj-lights.co.uk

For more information on Root Commerce and Root Solutions go to www.rootsol.com

Some Safety Tips

2008-05-23T13:51:00.000+01:00

We take safety really seriously. All our lights comply with all the relevent parts of the latest EU and UK legislation. We also go personally to the exclusive factories we use to inspect the quality of each shipment before the lights are despatched. All our lights are double insulated for your safety.

When we talk to health & Safety inspectors we find that most accidents in the home occur when using old lights either because they were made before the latest legislation or because they have become damaged. Please make sure you check old lights carefully to make sure they are in perfect working order before you use them

For your own safety we also suggest that you follow a few simple and commonsense guidelines when using ours, or anybody else's lights.

Always read and follow the instructions on the box and the label attached to the plug
Do not connect the set electrically to any other set
Do not connect the power to the lights while they are in the box
Do allow adequate airflow around each bulb
Never use indoor lights outside
Don't allow children to play with the lights
For a full list of Do's and Dont's please go to the safety section on our website

Introducing the LDJ Lights Website

2008-05-22T12:55:00.000+01:00

LDJ are pleased to announce the launch of our brand new online store - ldj-lights.co.uk.

You'll be able to find a complete range of indoor and outdoor lights for Christmas, Weddings, Parties, Festivals, or simply to add stylish decoration to your home or garden.

All the lights in our online store have been designed and tested to the same rigorous standards that we use for our major displays in shopping centres around the UK and Ireland. We source these lights from our own exclusive factories around the world to ensure that we can always bring you the best possible value for money and quality.

We can also assure you that we operate our business to the highest environmental and ethical standards. For more information on our ethical and environmental policy, please click here.

We hope that you'll enjoy all the lights you buy from us for many years to come. Please revisit / subscribe to our blog for all the latest news on LDJ, along with new products and frequently asked questions and advice.