Allen Signs, which has offices in Lincoln and Nottingham, has been named the winner of the Vehicle Graphics of the Year category at the British Sign Awards for transforming a 17-year-old double decker bus for Branston into Billy Branston’s Amazing Potato Factory.
David Allen, Managing Director at Allen Signs, said: “We are delighted to be recognised for our hard work and to win an award at the British Sign Awards.
“It’s the first awards ceremony that the British Sign and Graphic Association (BSGA) has hosted, which makes our achievement even more special.”
Allen Signs applied a wrapping film to the exterior of the bus and covered the inside ceiling, walls and seating area with digital printed vinyl.
“Wrapping the bus was not a standard job – it involved creating a lot of bespoke elements, things that could not be bought off the shelf,” said David.
The firm worked closely with Branston, who came up with the concept, and Lincoln-based Optima Design, who produced the design element.
“It was great working alongside the team from Branston and Optima, and it was as a result of everyone’s input that the bus was a great success,” David added.
Jackie Baker, Communications Manager at Branston, commented: “Converting an old bus was a major challenge for all the team. Allen Signs did a great job and worked really hard to get everything done.
“I’m delighted they’ve won this award – it’s a really stand-out job that gets a fantastic reaction wherever we go.”
Billy Branston’s Amazing Potato Factory is a fully functional mobile classroom which is touring primary schools around the UK and teaching children about the journey of potatoes from farm to fork. It’s supporting Tesco’s Eat Happy Project and helping children to learn more about where their food comes from.
Simon Shaw, Managing Director at Optima, said: “This project has been a great team effort from ourselves, Branston and Allen Signs to breathe life into an idea, which has now become a great learning experience for kids.
“Billy Branston’s Amazing Potato Factory is proving to be a great success and is a clear winner to everyone!”
Allen Signs and Optima Design have worked on a number of projects together in the past, including a shop design project for Chameleon Print in Lincoln, which resulted in Allen Signs winning Individual Sign Project of the year at the Sign and Digital UK Awards.
Simon added: “We have worked with Allen Signs for over 20 years; the team always delivers excellent and professional results and that is why we will continue to collaborate with them.”
European Sign Federation