Imperial Lighting

What Imperial Lighting does

Imperial Lighting (legal entity: Imperial Lighting Ltd) is a UK-based, family-run manufacturer of handmade bespoke lampshades, founded circa 1964 and headquartered at 74 Babbacombe Road, Torquay, Devon. The company employs between 11 and 50 people and operates exclusively in the United Kingdom — it does not ship internationally. Its commercial identity centers on traditional lampshade-making craftsmanship, with all products made to order in its Devon workshop, using techniques that have been passed down for nearly 60 years. Materials include brushed cotton, faux silk dupion, velvet, plain cotton and hessian, offered across up to 75 fabric/color combinations.

The product range spans multiple shape families — pleated, coolie, rectangle, drum (standard and pendant), extra-large drum pendant (60cm–120cm with 3-light fittings and removable diffusers), bowed empire, scalloped (with and without fringe), tall cone, daisy pleated and bowed drum — alongside a custom bespoke service for unique fittings and non-standard sizes. The most notable proprietary feature is the Shade Builder, an interactive online configurator that allows customers to specify size, fabric, color, lining and trim. All standard lampshades ship with dual-purpose fittings compatible with UK (B22 bayonet cap) and EU (E27 Edison screw) lamp holders. Pricing is unit-based and ranges roughly from £35 to £190 for catalog items, with bespoke and XL configurations priced higher.

The business model is direct-to-consumer e-commerce, transacted primarily through imperiallighting.co.uk (WordPress/WooCommerce) with a secondary presence on Etsy, supplemented by direct trade sales to interior designers, hospitality venues and contract customers. Distribution is UK-domestic only, using Royal Mail and DPD for delivery, Stripe for payments, and a digital marketing stack spanning Google Ads, Bing Ads, Facebook and Mailchimp. The company self-describes as "one of the leading lampshade manufacturers in the UK."

Name

Imperial Lighting

Legal name

Imperial Lighting Ltd

Website

https://imperiallighting.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Imperial Lighting is a UK family-run manufacturer of handmade bespoke lampshades, founded c. 1964 in Devon. It sells made-to-order shades directly to residential and trade customers via its own e-commerce site and Etsy, with 75+ fabric options and an online Shade Builder.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lampshades

NAICS

Electric Lamp Bulb and Other Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (335139)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting Parts, Shades & Accessories Retail (Harps, Finials, Glass, Mounting) (CRAIAHAI)

Keywords

• Handmade lampshades
• Bespoke lampshade manufacturing
• Custom shade builder
• Lighting accessories
• Drum pendant shades

Headquarters

HQ city

Torquay

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Lampshade Sales: Direct-to-consumer and trade sales of handmade bespoke lampshades through the company's e-commerce website. All products are made to order with 2-3 week lead time. Customers can select from standard designs or use the Shade Builder for custom configurations.
2. Custom/Bespoke Lampshade Orders: Custom-made lampshades built to customer specifications including unique fittings, specific sizes, and bespoke designs. Pricing varies based on size, fabric choice, and customization complexity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Imperial Lighting is a Devon-based manufacturer of handmade bespoke lampshades, producing made-to-order shades across drum, empire, coolie, cone, pleated, scalloped, rectangle, and bowed styles in fabrics including brushed cotton, faux silk, velvet, and hessian. Customers can order standard catalogue designs or configure custom units via an online Shade Builder selecting size, fabric, colour, lining, and trim. All products are finished in the Devon workshop with a 2-3 week lead time and shipped across the UK to residential and trade customers.

Product overview

Imperial Lighting is a UK-based manufacturer offering handmade bespoke lampshades for residential and trade customers. The product portfolio centres on the Shade Builder platform, an interactive customization tool enabling customers to design lampshades across multiple categories including Pleated Lampshades, Coolie, Rectangle, Drum (Standard and Pendant), Extra Large Drum Pendant, Bowed Empire, Scalloped (with and without fringe), Tall Cone, Daisy Pleated, and Bowed Drum styles. All products are handmade to order in their Devon workshop using traditional techniques passed down for nearly 60 years, with materials including brushed cotton, faux silk dupion, velvet, plain cotton, and hessian in up to 75 fabric/colours. Products feature dual-purpose fittings compatible with UK (B22) and EU (E27) lamp holders. The company also offers bespoke lampshade services for unique fittings or specific sizing requirements, and provides free fabric samples for colour confirmation before ordering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pleated Lampshades Classic pleated fabric lampshades with structured knife-pleat silhouettes, offered in empire and drum shapes across brushed cotton, faux silk dupion, velvet, plain cotton, and hessian fabrics, available in multiple colours and sizes.
• Coolie Lampshades Conical-shaped lampshades with a wide brim, produced in brushed cotton and hessian variants in multiple colours and sizes.
• Rectangle Lampshades Sleek rectangular lampshades designed for table lamps, bedside lamps, and floor lamps with multiple lining options including white PVC, natural cotton, and metallic finishes.
• Drum Pendant Lampshades Classic drum pendant lampshades with a removable bottom diffuser for soft even light distribution, available in sizes 30cm to 80cm in brushed cotton, faux silk, velvet, and striped cotton.
• Extra Large Drum Pendant Lampshades Extra-large drum pendant lampshades with 3-light fitting and removable bottom diffuser, sized 60cm to 120cm, available in 75 fabric/colour options across plain cotton, brushed cotton, velvet, and faux silk, with wire suspension for sizes 80cm and above.
• Bowed Empire Lampshades Traditional empire-style lampshades with a softly curved inward bow through the centre, handmade in brushed cotton or faux silk with a range of decorative trim options including rope, soutache, and plait.
• Scalloped Lampshades Traditional scalloped bowed empire lampshades with curved decorative edges, available in brushed cotton, silk, faux silk, and hessian, with optional fringe and plait trim finishes.
• Tall Cone Lampshades Statement cone-shaped lampshades with a taller refined silhouette, suitable for table lamps, floor lamps, or pendant installation, available with multiple fabric and lining options.
• Bowed Drum Lampshades Retro-style bowed drum lampshades with a softly curved profile, finished with matching trim and soft white balloon lining for traditional lighting schemes.
• Bespoke Custom Lampshade Service Bespoke custom lampshade service for lamps with unique fittings or non-standard sizes that standard catalogue SKUs cannot accommodate. Customers contact the company directly to specify size, fabric, fitting, lining, and trim, with custom pricing based on specifications.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, standard and minor.

• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner handling all credit/debit card transactions securely. Stripe provides encryption and security for payment details, and Imperial Lighting does not store customer payment information on their servers.
• Apple Pay / Google PaycoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile and digital wallet payment options integrated into checkout for customer convenience and faster payment processing.
• WordPress / WooCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform powering the company website with product catalog, shopping cart, and order management functionality.
• Royal MailstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary courier service for UK delivery of lampshade products to residential and trade customers.
• DPDstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCourier service partner for UK delivery, providing additional shipping capacity and coverage.
• EtsyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party marketplace channel for selling products alongside the main e-commerce website.
• Google AdsstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital advertising partner for paid search campaigns targeting lampshade-related queries and product searches.
• FacebookstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media advertising and marketing partner for brand awareness and product promotion campaigns.
• BingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdditional paid search advertising channel for digital marketing beyond Google platform.
• MailchimpstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerEmail marketing platform for customer communication, newsletters, promotions, and transactional email delivery.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• där lighting: där lighting is a UK lighting designer and supplier offering decorative lighting fixtures and lampshades to both trade and consumer markets. It overlaps with Imperial Lighting on shade products and serves the same residential and hospitality segments.
• Pooky: Pooky is a UK-based direct-to-consumer lighting brand specializing in lampshades, pendants, and table lamps with strong design-led positioning. It is the closest direct competitor to Imperial Lighting in the premium bespoke lampshade segment.
• Heathfield & Co: Heathfield & Co is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of decorative lighting, including bespoke lampshades, table lamps, and pendant lighting. It targets the premium interior design and hospitality trade segments similarly to Imperial Lighting.

Broad incumbents

• Original BTC: Original BTC is a UK heritage lighting manufacturer producing handcrafted fixtures and shades with a focus on traditional British craftsmanship. It competes in the premium handmade lighting category with broader fixture portfolio than Imperial Lighting.
• John Lewis Lighting: John Lewis is a major UK department store with a broad lighting and lampshade assortment serving residential customers. Its owned-brand and third-party shade range competes with Imperial Lighting for mainstream buyers.
• Dunelm: Dunelm is the UK's largest home furnishings retailer with a wide lampshade offering at value price points. It competes with Imperial Lighting primarily on standard-shape, lower-priced shades in the residential segment.
• Laura Ashley Lighting: Laura Ashley offers a lighting and lampshade range as part of its broader home furnishings and décor portfolio. While a much larger brand, its shade products compete for the same traditional-style residential buyer as Imperial Lighting.

Emerging players

• Rockett St George: Rockett St George is a UK home décor retailer offering an eclectic range of lighting and lampshades with a designer-led aesthetic. It competes with Imperial Lighting for design-conscious residential customers seeking statement pieces.
• Iconic Lights: Iconic Lights is a UK-based online retailer offering designer lighting fixtures and lampshades at accessible price points. It competes for residential customers looking for premium-style shades at lower prices than Imperial Lighting's handmade range.
• The Lamp Factory: The Lamp Factory is a UK-based online retailer specializing in lampshades and lamp accessories with a wide variety of shapes and fabrics. It overlaps with Imperial Lighting on product range but relies on sourcing rather than in-house handmade production.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/imperiallightingltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imperial-lighting-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Imperial Lighting