A LIGHTING company with a cult following for its quirky, hand-crafted fixtures and fittings will open the doors of its new Old Town shop this weekend.

It has been a labour of love for Matt Cole, 31, and Tony Doyle, 60 – the duo behind Arc Lighting and Design – who are busy adding the final touches ahead of the unveiling at 11am on Saturday.

For the past four years the business has been operating out of its workshop in Cheney Manor making lights for restaurants, bars and hotels but now the duo have decided to showcase their offerings to the public.

Copper and brass geometric pendants, reclaimed metal, vintage glass and brioche tins all made into lights are among the items on show at the shop in Victoria Road, opposite the Adver offices.

They work with designers around the world and even source lighting from abandoned navy vessels in India, which they upcycle to turn into eye-catching statement pieces.

“We are something different, we are unique and concentrate on bespoke items,” said electrical engineer Tony, who lives in Stratton and has been running his own company for 25 years.

Arc’s work has attracted the likes of Gourmet Burger Kitchen, TGI Fridays and Jamie’s Italian who have asked them to create the lighting for their restaurants.

They also recently created handmade art deco brass fittings for Fortnum and Mason.

“Lighting is one of the most important things in your house," said Matt, of Old Town, who was a cinema manager before Tony offered him an apprenticeship ten years ago.

“You can have the nicest things but if it is not lit right it doesn’t work. It’s the same with a restaurant you might have nice food, nice décor but if the food isn’t lit right it won’t look appealing.

“The South West and Swindon has never had the opportunity to have a completely different take on lighting rather than your run-of-the-mill stuff. But anything anyone wants we can get, we sell everything."

The shop, which offers a fitting service, is also set to feature on BBC1’s upcycling programme Money for Nothing at the end of the month. In the next series they will be working with the show to transform items found in skips or jumble sales.

Arc Lighting and Design will be open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 5.30pm.

For more information go to: arc-lighting.co.uk or visit their Facebook page.