Our range of products by style
A helpful guide by location/application
Looking for something different?
solution
opinion3 min read
Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) have funded public infrastructure, including streetlighting, across the UK for over 25 years. These long-term contracts between local authorities and private companies typically last 25–30 years and are now reaching their expiry phase. As almost half of the UK’s streetlighting PFIs are due to end in the next decade, councils are being urged to start planning. But amid the rush to review ownership models and service delivery, one vital question often gets missed:
Between 2009 and 2012, many councils led the transition to LED streetlighting – long before it became standard. These early adopters played a key role in proving the benefits of LED technology. But now, over a decade on, the very fixtures that once led the charge are falling behind.
Back then, the average luminaire efficacy was around 100–120 lm/W. Today, newer models deliver well over 200 lm/W. That’s a potential 35%+ energy saving, with the added benefits of improved optics, programmable dimming, and longer-lasting performance.
Many first-generation LED units are now:
Yet too often, they’re assumed to be “fit and forget.” In reality, they could be holding back your energy savings — or worse, creating costly risks ahead of PFI expiry.
This month’s Lighting Journal article, “Getting Ready for PFI Expiry”, urges local authorities to start planning for PFI hand back years in advance (7 is the ideal). The article highlights the need for clear governance, asset condition checks, and early decision-making around future service delivery.
And while it focuses on legal and operational readiness, it also raises a vital point: You can’t plan your future if you don’t understand what you have now.
With many streetlighting PFIs running for 25+ years, your earliest LED stock may be nearing the end of its useful life. That means some lanterns could fail compliance checks or require urgent replacement – just when your resources are stretched managing the wider expiry process.
At Acrospire, we’re here to help local authorities prepare for the road ahead. And not just on paper — we’re out in the field, reviewing assets and helping councils unlock extra value from what they already have.
This includes:
Even small changes can add up to big wins – especially when your lighting scheme covers thousands of columns.
PFI expiry represents a rare opportunity to re-evaluate your lighting stock, maximise efficiency, and prepare for the next generation of streetlighting. Whether you’re looking to bring services in-house or go out to procurement, it pays to act early – before exit deadlines creep up.
We’re here to help you:
Our story
The idea for Acrospire was formed in 2012 when founder Tim envisioned a different kind of lighting manufacturer: one that would not only deliver outstanding customer experiences but also prioritise fair treatment for its employees.
We’ve come a long way
Motivated by the belief the industry wanted and needed better, Tim shared his plan to establish his own venture with Hatty, who simply couldn't let him do it alone.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Protecting local jobs and ensuring the best quality possible.
Working from a rented office by day and assembling lanterns in a garage at night, Tim and Hatty set to work.
11 Years later
Acrospire now inhabits a 14000² ft manufacturing facility in Basingstoke, Hampshire. We’re a proud partner of the Made in Britain scheme, ISO9001 certified and a member of all relevant lighting industry trade bodies.
Along with great relationships with our customers and a great team! We've attracted some of the most experienced members of the lighting industry, all by following one golden rule.
A simple ethos
That runs through all that we do. Customers who have made the switch to Acrospire have found working with us to be a breath of fresh air.
If you’re a professional in the lighting industry, you’re probably familiar with warranties that range from 3 to 10 years, with extensions available on special request or at additional cost. At Acrospire, where we’re proud to be different, we offer a market-leading simple 12-year warranty, as standard.
We focus on our customers not our competition. We manufacture our products in the UK: with the exception of our solar products, our supply chain is within a 60-mile radius of our factory in Basingstoke: to maintain greater control over quality. We al
Speed of response is crucial when it comes to resolving warranty issues. If we’ve made a mistake, we own it, get to the root cause, and fix it as quickly as possible. We believe in timely communication with our customers and making the resolution pro
Test and Test Again
We believe in independent testing and certification. Our new product development is in line with ISO 9001. Many of our products hold ENEC Certification. To meet the requirements of ENEC we also send random product samples for third party safety testi
Our product design is another key factor in our ability to offer a 12-year warranty. We value engineer rather than cost cut, never compromising on quality. We stick to our processes and engage with our supply chain to ensure that every product meets