Fraser Besant and the Urban Lighting collection
This is my story and a little insight into how and why I came to create this beautiful website.
My father was an electrician by trade and in 1974 he opened up his own electrical wholesalers, Ablectrics, on the famous Gloucester Road in Bristol. I came along in 1985 and grew up either at school, at home or in the shop with my Dad. At 14 I started working in the shop as a Saturday assistant. I loved the atmosphere in the shop and enjoyed working there. I loved seeing new homes being built and helping customers with their enquiries. At 23 I began working full time in the shop and eventually took it over 3 years later. When my Dad I wanted to concentrate on building up the wholesale business and I had further ideas to develop a new lighting showroom in the shop. This took several years of careful planning and was a big turning point for the business. Alongside selling lighting I also began learning the art of lighting design. I travelled to all the major lighting shows and filled my time watching and learning from the leading industry inovators. I visited countless high end homes, hotels and venues to see designs in place and work out how the lighting was used. Offering a design and supply service seemed very popular with our customers. The business took off and before long I was working on Grand designs projects, in big named hotels and I even offered a design brief to Marco Pierre when he wanted to bring a restaurant franchise out in 2013.
As the lighting showroom continued to grow and my design skills improved along came the shabby chic vintage look. This originated through the trendy coffee shops and bars. I was being asked more and more to source genuine vintage lights and involve them in my lighting designs. This is when my workshop opened. I employed a modest team of skilled people including an ex theatre lighting technician to undertake the specialist work of restoring these old lights. It was by chance one day I had some vintage factory lights being collected by one of my clients and a customer in the showroom asked if he could buy something similar for his home. I was able to find some more and called him back to let him know the good news. I then thought about displaying some of these genuine vintage lights in the showroom. They went like hot cakes. We quickly gained a great reputation for our range and the meticulous workmanship of the restored pieces.
The majority of the vintage lights I had been restoring over the past 2 years were Bristish designed and made, they were 50/100 years old and still working. I too wanted to make lights that would still be working in 50 years time. I had the workshop and the team behind me. I had lots of exiting design ideas and lights I wanted to make. So this is when I started my journey into manufacturing and I created Fraser Besant Lighting Ltd.
My new award winning lighting showroom in Bristol
In 2021 we finnaly outgrew the showroom we had occupied on Gloucester Road, it was sad to say goodbye but we didnt move far. The new showroom is 3 times the size and I have even branched out into home cinemas. The lighting displays are now even better, there is a stunning kitchen area showcasing the best pendant lights and LED tapes. A modern media wall with a gorgeous Evonics fire place. It has allowed me to show off more of my design ideas and create a space to help inspire clients when choosing new lighting. On display is a hand picked selection of designer lighting which is all displayed in pods. I work closely with a very talented interior designer who advises me on the best colours and decor to keep the showroom on trend. While I am happy to supply lighting online I am very passionate about my lighting showroom. Should you want to come and see me or the showroom this can be arranged, you are also welcome to book a consulation and view the home cinema demo room. This space still blows me away, Owen from Cinemaworks has built a dreams come true space that is actually better than a commercial cinema space. There is an ammotional connection with the film due to the amazing sound and lighting he has brought together. If you would like to learn more about my company please watch my Youtube video and follow me on Instagram @fraserbesantlighting
Frasers House of Lighting 33 Zetland Road, Bristol, BS6 7AH
