Printworks, Manchester

Printworks is a landmark leisure destination in Manchester, home to over 20 bars, restaurants, and attractions—including one of Europe’s largest IMAX screens. The £21 million refurbishment, completed in 2024, was led by architects CDA to revitalise the 33,900 m² venue and align it with evolving visitor expectations, ushering in a bold new chapter for the city’s iconic entertainment hub. Cundall supported the project with lighting design, as well as building, civil and structural engineering, and vertical transportation.

The Light Lab was appointed by CDA Glasgow as specialist lighting contractors, responsible for the fabrication and installation of custom LED panels and illuminated signage throughout the interior and across the exterior façade. A key highlight was the large-scale illuminated “Printworks” signage, which required our installation team to operate at considerable height with precision and care—demonstrating both technical skill and a strong focus on safety and planning.

With extensive experience in bespoke retail lighting, The Light Lab has delivered standout schemes for commercial and public realm projects across the UK—including St James Quarter in Edinburgh and Grand Central in Birmingham—bringing creativity and technical expertise to high-traffic environments.

“The Light Lab team were fantastic to work with and delivered bespoke lighting for Printworks on a challenging scale. Their approach inspired confidence from the outset, and their technical design was exemplary.”
— Michael Jenkins, Associate at CDA

This project exemplifies The Light Lab’s ability to deliver technically complex lighting schemes at scale, providing specialist installation teams equipped to work at height and in challenging exterior environments—ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and design execution.