WORK carried out by a South Lakeland firm has helped a prestigious project to secure a national industry award.

NJO Technology played a leading role in restoring a top London theatre to its former glory, in readiness for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Bombay Dreams.

Now the Apollo Victoria Theatre project has been recognised in the Lighting Design Awards, winning the heritage category. Judges described the stunning end result as "full of wow".

Kendal-based NJO Technology landed its biggest-ever contract, worth nearly £100,000, to design and supply stunning lighting systems for the main auditorium.

The Kendal firm played a leading role in recreating the grade two listed building's original 1929 aquamarine and amber lighting which could fade to create the illusion of an underwater palace.

NJO Technology was originally asked to produce 250 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) units for the theatre, but ended up making nearly 1,000 units as contractors realised the advantages of LEDs over more traditional lighting sources.

Director Annie Rawlinson told Business Gazette she was delighted that the scheme had won a national award.

Formed nine years ago by Annie and her husband Mike, NJO Technology launched a new product range on the back of

the Apollo job, offering mood lighting in restaurants, pubs and clubs.

The firm has since worked on a number of new lighting projects at locations ranging from Terminal One at Manchester Airport to Telford Shopping Centre.

NJO Technology even produced colour change ceiling lights for the toilets in celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's new restaurant.

Over the years, the firm has made LED units for everything from the back of bumper cars at Blackpool Pleasure Beach to signs warning fire fighters when their breathing apparatus is running out of oxygen.

The business is continuing to expand, and plans to take on a number of new staff, including a sales co-ordinator, materials controller and two production assistants.

Mrs Rawlinson said the firm was also looking to take over a unit next door at Kendal's Fell View Trading Estate.

May 22, 2003 13:00