Fraser Besant lighting is a connoisseur, specialising in bespoke and restored, industrial lighting. Everything is designed and hand-made in Bristol. They have just opened a spectacular showroom in Zetland road and, to celebrate, they're hosting a new, home cinema room event this weekend.
Complete with classic films and competitions with a fully restored Back To The Future Delorean! Head over for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.
Who is Fraser Bessant
"Aged 14 I started working in the shop as a Saturday assistant. I loved the atmosphere in the shop and was fascinated by the builders and tradesman who came in. I loved seeing new homes being built and helping customers with their enquiries. At 23 I began working full time in the shop and eventually took it over 3 years later."
"Alongside selling lighting I also began learning the art of lighting design. I travelled to all the major lighting shows and filled my time watching and learning from the leading industry leaders. The business took off and before long I was working on Grand designs projects, in big named hotels and I even offered a design brief to Marco Pierre when he wanted to bring a restaurant franchise out in 2013."
What lights do you design?
"As the lighting showroom continued to grow and my design skills improved along came the shabby chic vintage look. This originated through the trendy coffee shops and bars. I was being asked more and more to source genuine vintage lights and involve them in my lighting designs."
"It was by chance one day I had 23 vintage factory lights being collected by one of my clients and a customer in the showroom asked if he could buy something similar for his home. I was able to find some more and called him back to let him know the good news. I then thought about displaying some of these genuine vintage lights in the showroom. They sold like hotcakes!"
Why Bristol?
"The majority of the vintage lights I had been restoring over the past 2 years were Bristish designed and made, they were 50/100 years old and still working. I too wanted to make lights that would still be working in 50 years time."
"I was determined to make my lighting not only in the UK but right here in Bristol where I was born and raised. The company has been making lights since 2015 and is growing every year. I sell online and through my showroom. I have many more designs and ideas in the pipeline and I hope you all love what I have created. You can follow me on Instagram to see what I am working on next."
Check out Fraser's profile on Zump and visit his new showroom Zetland road for the best lights in Bristol.