Bagnalls won the project to re-paint this significant 23-meter high structure including the Keeper's cottages through competitive tender. The lighthouse is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the North East and in 1999, its care and ownership were taken over by the National Trust.

Bagnalls was given a very tight schedule of six weeks in which to undertake the works, which consisted of the proprietary painting of the external of the lighthouse and surrounding buildings, which are now used as holiday cottages by the National Trust.

Due to its seaside location, the conditions can be quite harsh so the surface protection is gradually worn away. The majority of standard paints cannot cope with this harsh environment so specialist paints had to be used. In addition, extra controls for safe working had to be employed as the lighthouse remained open to the general public whilst painting works were being undertaken.

Decoration works for the National Trust are more demanding and bespoke than standard decorating contracts as a clear understanding is required of the necessary conservation techniques. Therefore, due to the complex nature and exacting standards that were required for this project, a team of our directly employed painters were selected who were trained and experienced in working off scaffold and applying specialist coatings.

All the hard work and effort made by the Bagnalls team paid off as Bagnalls won the industrial category of the Painting and Decorating Association Premier Annual Trophy competition, 2007.