St Neots Market Square & Gateway, UK

The St Neots Market Square & Gateway lighting scheme is a benchmark in heritage-sensitive urban design, transforming the town’s central public realm into a vibrant, multifunctional space. Designed by WSP’s Lighting Team, the scheme spans the pedestrianised square, delivering a cohesive and immersive experience that enhances both functionality and atmosphere.

The lighting strategy is designed to encourage relaxation within the square, creating pockets of spaces to sit and enjoy, while also paying homage to the rich history of the town. Intricately detailed bench lighting encourages community interaction, while the refurbishment of the central heritage luminaires is a monument that preserves the town’s historic charm with renewed elegance. Discreet spotlighting of the iconic Monk sculptures, set within planters, adds a layer of storytelling, subtly celebrating local identity.

St Neots Market Square located in Cambridgeshire, is one of the largest and long standing of its kind, dating back to the 12^th century, with markets taking place every week, since its foundation by the Priory of St Neots. The Market Square was regarded as the core of the medieval settlement. In 1130AD the Priory was granted a weekly market by the Royal Charter, allowing local produce and agriculture to be traded. The Square remains the central heart of the town today with the tradition of the market still being held.

The connection between people and place is further established within the towns name, St Neots named after a ninth century Cornish Monk. Tributes to celebrate the town’s history are evidenced throughout the Square in the form of sculptural bollards, a key focus within the lighting design. The sculptures take the silhouettes of the Monks, showcasing them wearing hooded garments, hands clasped holding a cross, and detailed with facial features. The Monk sculptures were carefully restored and relocated within the softscape, becoming the primary focus. Concealed within planters are small spotlights, placed at the front and rear of each Monk sculpture, tilted and angled to precisely wash each sculpture with a warm, graze of light.

Warm 2700K white light was used throughout the project to create a welcoming ambiance, that highlights the architectural features and encourages safe extended use of the Square into the evenings. The detailed bench lighting encourages community interaction, while the refurbishment of the central heritage ‘Day’ column included conversion from oil to LED, to provide functional lighting, and preserves the town’s historic charm with renewed elegance. Intelligent lighting controls, delivered in collaboration with Studiotech, optimise energy use and enhance the space’s versatility. All luminaires were carefully specified for durability, robustness, low maintenance, and high performance, and sustainable credentials, to ensure long-term value and minimal environmental impact. WSP worked closely with manufacturers including MESH, Griven, and Atea to deliver a resilient, future-proof solution.

This transformative scheme has redefined the Market Square as a place to gather, meet, and celebrate. St Neots now stands as a glowing example of how thoughtful lighting design can elevate public life and enrich historic community identity.