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The Foundational Story of J. G. Medlock.
The Lightplan story begins in 1910 with founder James Medlock. Driven by the conviction that Britain’s growing industries needed "fast-moving factors of vision and courage," James traded his pedal-cycle for a motorcycle and sidecar, embodying the spirit of the hare in a quickly evolving trade. What started with simple gas mantles soon expanded to supplying the essential oil, mica, and glassware that powered the era.
From its humble beginnings in a modest two-storey warehouse - once a stable rumored to have sheltered Dick Turpin's horse - the business thrived. Success was built on James’s tireless effort, sharp organising ability, and a foundational belief in integrity, which remains a core value today.
Adapting to the Watts and Volts
The Medlock family business swiftly adapted to the march of progress. Joined by his engineer son Harold in 1919, they purchased their first van, proudly displaying the iconic slogan: "Here comes Medlocks." This spirit of constant evolution allowed the firm to pivot from gas mantles to securing the agency for the revolutionary Columbia Radio Battery, ensuring they were always keeping abreast of the latest technical shifts as electricity took hold of the nation.
Electrical Wholesale to Lighting Design
As electricity swept across every household, our technical expertise became a foundation for design. In 1958, marking a massive expansion, we opened a spacious, dedicated showroom. This move transformed us from North London's "Promptest Factor" (a veritable treasure-house of stock) into a destination where customers could see shaded lamps and flickering fires in an inspiring setting.
This pivot - from technical electrical excellence to sophisticated visual design, the dual expertise that defines the Lightplan network today. We still hold the technical knowledge of the founders, now fused with the aesthetic mastery of modern lighting design.
Medlock & Lightplan
The Complete Service
Today, Lightplan is supported by an unmatched operational network, ensuring we can handle any project, anywhere.
54 Electrical Wholesale Branches: These locations serve as the technical backbone of our operation. They maintain our deep roots in the electrical industry, providing contractors and our designers with instant access to the latest technical standards, complex components, and logistical support. This ensures efficiency and reliability for every installation.
8 Dedicated Lighting Showrooms: These are the face of Lightplan design. Our showrooms across the UK and Ireland are interactive spaces designed for customers to experience, test, and specify their designs. They are where our deep technical knowledge is translated into beautiful, functional lighting plans.
This expansive structure means that when you partner with Lightplan, you benefit from local, personalised service backed by over 115 years of tested expertise and the logistical power of a major national distributor.
Lighting Design.
If you can imagine it, we can source it.
We understand that while not every fitting needs to be a masterpiece, every single light holds critical importance in a cohesive lighting design. Our expertise lies in seamlessly managing this entire spectrum. Whether your project requires a reliable, high-quality, fire-rated downlight for essential utility lighting, or a bespoke, gravity-defying chandelier designed to define a commercial lobby, we treat both requirements with equal dedication.
Our designers master the art of layered lighting - from ambient and task illumination to accent lighting - calculating precise lumen and beam specifications to create the perfect atmosphere.
Lighting Plan.
Annotated Design Schematics.
Lighting planning is the most critical stage of any renovation or new build—it goes far beyond simply deciding where to hang a pendant. Poor planning leads to frustrating lighting gaps, misplaced switches, and unnecessary cost overruns. Our designers prevent this by determining every technical detail upfront: meticulous circuit zoning, precise switch and dimmer placement, and accurately calculating the required circuits per room to handle modern electrical loads.
We eliminate guesswork on-site by providing full, annotated design schematics for your electrician. This comprehensive, detailed documentation serves as a final map for installation, ensuring there are no costly delays, last-minute decision changes, or confusion about your lighting vision.
Lighting Automation.
Elevate your Space with Intelligent Lighting Control.
Managed by systems like Lutron – the industry gold standard for reliability and sophistication in both residential and commercial settings. Lutron automation moves beyond simple on/off switches, allowing for effortless scene setting, precise dimming, and seamless integration with other smart technologies. Imagine instantly transitioning from a bright 'working' environment to a dimmed, warm 'entertaining' scene at the touch of a button, all while optimising energy efficiency.
By integrating a system like Lutron into the foundational wiring diagram, our designers ensure hidden components and flawless performance.
Bespoke Solutions.
Lighting Tailored to Your Space.
Standard fittings sometimes don't make the mark when it comes to unique architectural spaces. We transform lighting into tailored, high-end installations through our collaborative relationships with specialist UK and European manufacturers.
We handle the entire bespoke process, guaranteeing a flawless professional result without overwhelming you with the technical specifics. If your project demands a unique statement piece designed specifically for its architectural footprint, get in touch with our expert design team.
Specification Service.
Essential Pre-Tender Design Phase.
The highest value we deliver often occurs before the first brick is laid. Our Specifying Service is your essential pre-tender design phase, ensuring your entire lighting project is scoped, costed, and secured before construction begins. This strategic approach dramatically contributes to overall cost savings and ensures a streamlined project timeline from start to finish.
We provide comprehensive support that locks down every detail: customised lighting layouts and CAD drawings, detailed fixture procurement planning, and essential site visits to verify measurements and spatial requirements. By defining materials and specifications early, we eliminate expensive mid-project changes and guarantee a fixed lighting cost, allowing you to proceed with total confidence.
Lighting Must be Experienced.
More than just a place to browse, our showrooms are consultation hubs. We encourage you to bring your plans and ideas to meet with our designers, who can guide you through the collections and technical specifications face-to-face.
Whether you are nearby in London, the Home Counties, or accessing us from Ireland, our network provides the essential setting for making informed and inspired lighting decisions.