Category: Partners
As the latest venture from the Cat & Wickets Pub Company, founded by former England cricketers Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney, The Long Hop builds on the success of their other celebrated sites, The Tap & Run and The Griffin Inn. Housed within a Grade II* listed Victorian building that incorporates the remains of the 13th-century Burton Abbey infirmary, the venue combines rich history with modern hospitality, making it a standout addition to Burton’s dining scene.
The Project
Our team was commissioned to create signage that reflected The Long Hop’s premium brand identity while respecting the site’s heritage. This included:
- A large entrance sign featuring The Long Hop’s distinctive logo, welcoming visitors and reinforcing the brand.
- External wayfinding signage ensures guests can easily navigate the grounds.
- Branded plaque signage creates a consistent and elegant look across the venue.
Every element was manufactured using high-quality materials for durability, while carefully designed to harmonise with the historic setting.
The Outcome
The new signage played a key role in supporting The Long Hop’s grand opening, giving the venue instant visual impact and helping to establish its identity as a flagship destination in Burton. From the moment guests arrive, the signage creates a welcoming, professional impression that enhances the overall experience.
Hardy Signs is delighted to have contributed to this exciting new chapter for the iconic local landmark and to support The Long Hop team as they bring their unique blend of high-quality food, drink, and hospitality to the Burton community.
The Long Hop is now officially open. We encourage everyone to visit and experience this fantastic new pub and dining spot for themselves.
Founded in 1993 by lifelong Burton resident and Brewers supporter Nik Hardy, Hardy Signs has always championed community engagement and celebrated local sport. This partnership with Burton Albion reflects not only our passion for football but also our commitment to investing in the community that shaped our business.
As part of the agreement, the Hardy Signs logo will feature on both the home and away shorts worn by the Brewers throughout the season. In addition, we will continue to deliver all of the club’s official signage, from stadium branding and digital displays to sponsor pitch side boards and wayfinding solutions, ensuring the Pirelli Stadium stands out as one of the most professionally presented grounds in the league.
“We’re absolutely over the moon to take our support for Burton Albion to the next level,” said Nik Hardy, Managing Director of Hardy Signs. “As lifelong fans and proud Burtonians, it’s a privilege to back our local club in such a meaningful way. We’re looking forward to a fantastic season ahead and wish the Brewers every success on and off the pitch.”
This exciting partnership highlights Hardy Signs’ dual strength: as a trusted national signage provider delivering branding solutions to leading organisations across the UK, and as a local business with deep roots in Burton, proud to support the community it calls home.
To explore how Hardy Signs can elevate your brand through professional signage solutions, visit www.hardysigns.co.uk.
The collaboration focuses on enhancing the in-store experience through the rollout of dynamic digital signage, large-scale branded wallpaper wraps, and high-impact exterior signage across PSR Trading’s entire estate.
The most recent installation at DOG by Just for Pets in Boughton-under-the-Water exemplifies the premium direction of the partnership. The boutique store, renowned for its designer dog accessory range, now features a sleek and immersive interior design enhanced by branded graphics and digital content displays, perfectly aligned with its high-end, pet lifestyle focus.
“This is more than signage,” said Nik Hardy, Managing Director of Hardy Signs.
“We’re helping to shape the retail experience by creating spaces that not only look incredible but also connect with customers on an emotional level. Whether it’s the playful branding of Pets & Friends or the boutique elegance of DOG by Just for Pets, each store is getting a tailored approach that supports PSR Trading’s unique brand vision.”
Hardy Signs’ solution integrates modern digital displays for real-time updates and marketing campaigns, while also providing vibrant custom wallpaper and professionally branded shopfronts that make a strong visual impact.
Richard Coyne, Estate Manager for PSR Trading, added:
“Our partnership with Hardy Signs has become central to our retail development strategy. Their team has a deep understanding of how to reflect the essence of each of our brands across all touchpoints, from digital to physical. The results have been outstanding and feedback from our teams and customers has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The rollout is well underway with multiple locations already completed and more in the pipeline. With this partnership, Hardy Signs and PSR Trading are not only redefining what pet retail looks like, but also setting a new industry benchmark for brand consistency, customer engagement and retail innovation.
Hardy Signs is proud to celebrate three years since the launch of our full-scale signage partnership with Derbion Shopping Centre in Derby. As one of the most high-profile retail developments in the region, Derbion presented a significant opportunity for Hardy Signs to demonstrate our expertise in delivering large-scale, bespoke signage solutions.
From bold external branding to detailed interior wayfinding, this project continues to stand as a benchmark of our capability and commitment to quality.
The Beginning of a Landmark Project
In 2021, Hardy Signs was awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install both external and internal signage for Derbion. The 1.4 million square foot shopping destination, formerly known as Intu Derby, was undergoing a complete rebrand and required a signage package that matched its ambition.
Following a competitive tender process, Hardy Signs was selected to deliver this transformation across the entire centre. This included large illuminated external signs, internal LED features and comprehensive wayfinding systems, all tailored to reflect the new Derbion identity.
A Signage Installation on a Grand Scale
One of the most visually striking parts of the project was the installation of 20 illuminated external signs. These large-scale features were positioned across all major elevations of the shopping centre and required specialist access methods. Our trained abseil teams and power access technicians worked at height and outside of trading hours to ensure a smooth and safe installation process.
Internally, we rolled out LED neon-style signage across communal spaces, including food courts and restrooms, enhancing the overall visitor experience. Every element was designed to support brand recognition and contribute to a modern, welcoming atmosphere throughout the site.
Enduring Impact and Strong Client Relationships
The success of the Derbion signage project is reflected not only in the final result but in the strength of our ongoing relationship with the client. Adam Tamsett, General Manager at Derbion, commented:
“We have been impressed by Hardy Signs’ enthusiasm and commitment to this exciting project and we are delighted with the installation of our new exterior signage.”
Our Managing Director, Nik Hardy, shared similar pride in the project:
“It’s fantastic to be involved in such a landmark installation, especially with it being right on our doorstep here in the East Midlands.”
Three Years On
Three years later, our signage remains a defining part of the Derbion centre’s brand presence. The illuminated Derbion lettering is now a recognisable part of the Derby skyline, while the internal signage continues to guide and engage thousands of visitors each day.
Importantly, our partnership with Derbion remains active. Hardy Signs continues to provide ongoing signage services, supporting the centre with additional requirements, updates and maintenance as the site evolves.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this milestone, we look ahead with enthusiasm for what the future holds. Derbion remains one of the region’s most prominent retail destinations, and we are proud to play a continuing role in its development.
Hardy Signs is committed to delivering the same level of excellence, innovation and service that has defined our work to date. We look forward to supporting Derbion for many more years to come as the centre continues to grow and thrive.
If your organisation is planning a rebrand, expansion or signage upgrade, our expert team is here to help.
Get in touch with Hardy Signs today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life.
Reflecting on our role in one of the UK’s most vibrant sporting events
This summer marks three years since Hardy Signs proudly contributed to the visual identity of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. As a nationally recognised signage provider, we were honoured to help bring colour, character and clarity to the city through a wide range of bespoke signage solutions.
Being involved in such a high-profile event remains one of the standout moments in our company’s recent history.
Signage That Brought Birmingham to Life
Our team was trusted to deliver an extensive signage package across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. This included:
- Anti-graffiti laminated graphics installed on hoardings in Chamberlain Square, featuring the iconic Games mascot, Perry the Bull
- Over 300 double-sided banner arms and banners installed across Sandwell
- PVC mesh banners fitted to key bridges across the city
- Full-colour vinyl wraps for TV and broadcast trucks operating in Sutton Park and Cannock Chase
- Decorative signage panels along Centenary Way, enhancing important pedestrian routes
Each element played a vital role in building the bold and cohesive branding seen throughout the Games.
Working Against the Clock
As with many large-scale events, the project came with extremely tight deadlines and no margin for error. With just weeks to design, manufacture and install hundreds of signs across multiple locations, our team had to work with precision and pace.
Careful coordination, extended production hours and on-site adaptability were essential to meeting the deadline. Our installers worked around the clock to ensure all signage was completed to specification ahead of opening day—without compromising on quality or safety.
The result was a smooth and professional delivery that contributed to the Games’ visual success and overall visitor experience.
A Moment of Lasting Pride
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games captured the attention of millions, both in the UK and around the world. To have played a part in such a momentous occasion is something the Hardy Signs team continues to take great pride in.
From planning and production to installation across a variety of locations, the scale of the project highlighted our capability, creativity and commitment to excellence.
We are incredibly proud to have supported such a memorable event that showcased Birmingham at its best.
If you are organising a public event or large-scale installation and need reliable, professional signage, get in touch with Hardy Signs today. We’ll help you bring your project to life.
Love Business, the biggest B2B expo in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire – the Heart of the Midlands – is set to return in style in 2022. Taking place on Thursday, 17 February at Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough, Love Business 2022 is set to attract hundreds of exhibitors, thousands of delegates and dozens of high-profile partner organisations.
There was no Love Business in 2021 because of the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, but the team from event organisers Quiet Storm Solutions are working closely with a host of event partners to make sure the event returns with a bang in 2022.
Several high-profile organisations from across the region have already pledged their support, including our longstanding headline sponsor East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) and partners KuKu Connect, Mocha Communicates, the Institute of Directors to organisations like Hardy Signs and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund that are also sponsoring the event. https://youtu.be/GYBzv9S5-dA?t=1762022 marks the ten-year anniversary of the Love Business Expo and the past decade has seen it grow from humble beginnings to one of the highlights of the East Midlands business calendar.
It aims to celebrate and showcase everything that is great about Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. As well as an expo, each event features an action-packed agenda of guest speakers and presentations designed to inspire and inform attendees, bring them up to date with the latest economic insight affecting the region and give them practical tips for business growth, which they can implement straight away.Our team will be exhibiting at Love Business Expo. If you would like to hear more about our signage services, please visit us at Stand B35. If you’d like to book a meeting: [email protected]
About the company: Hardy Signs is a professional and digital signage company that designs, manufactures and installs bespoke signage products to a wide range of business sectors in the United Kingdom. The company has been awarded the manufacturer of the year in 2019, 2020 & 2023
Professional and digital signage company Hardy Signs has joined Generation Next as a partner. It will receive exposure via Generation Next’s channels and feature in events run for members of the network. The team at Hardy Signs will also have access to places on the Generation Next membership service.
Generation Next is run by East Midlands Chamber, supporting young professionals and the next generation of business leaders in the East Midlands.
54% of the team at Hardy Signs classify as Young Professionals (18-35)
It features a series of networking events and educational workshops led by a range of East Midlands-based companies and specialist advisers, with the aim of developing its members’ professional networks and skills.
Hardy Signs will also sponsor the Community Award in the inaugural Generation Next Awards, which will be held at a virtual ceremony on 16 July.
Lucy Robinson, East Midlands Chamber director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hardy Signs to Generation Next as a partner. The company has an award-winning reputation in our region and beyond for its innovative signage solutions.
“The team at Hardy Signs is passionate about giving young talent in our region the tools to succeed and it’s already been great working with marketing manager Daniel Nikolla on our Generation Next board of champions.
“We look forward to working with its wider team throughout the year.”
Hardy Signs was established by managing director Nik Hardy in 1993 and has since grown into one of the leading signage suppliers in the UK. The Burton-based company offers a complete solution across a wide range of physical and digital signage – from project management, installation, and maintenance through to content creation and system management.
Nik Hardy, Managing Director at Hardy Signs, said: “Supporting Generation Next supplements the work we continue to do with apprentices and young people at Hardy Signs. In 2016, we launched the ‘Sign and Print Academy’ in partnership with Burton and South Derbyshire College. The academy trains and develops students and apprentices with all the skills they need to become “future sign makers.”
“I know that our team here at Hardy Signs are very excited about this partnership and are looking forward to get even more involved.”
Hardy Signs will be one of six partners of the network, alongside GBS Apprenticeships, Fraser Stretton, Nottingham University Business School, Loughborough College, and headline partner the University of Derby.
To become a member of the network, visit https://generationnextemc.co.uk/become-a-member/ or email the team at [email protected]. You can also keep up to date with the network via LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
