Illuminated Signs & LED Neon Signs in Manchester

Manchester City Council decides advertisement consent in the city. The national rules apply:

• Most illuminated signs need advertisement consent. The Planning Portal rule of thumb: consent may be needed for any sign over 0.3 m², or of any size if it is illuminated.
• Deemed consent (Class 4B) covers some illuminated signs on business premises – one fascia sign plus one projecting sign, top no higher than 4.6 m or the bottom of the first-floor window, letters up to 0.75 m, static light only, either halo-lit or each letter lit from within, and no more than 600 cd/m² for areas up to 10 m². Projecting signs: at least 2.5 m above ground, max 0.75 m² per face, projecting no more than 1 m and never over the carriageway.
• Class 4B does not apply in conservation areas, National Parks or AONBs, and it excludes signs with exposed cold-cathode (neon) tubing, flashing or animation. Whether an outdoor LED neon-style sign is treated like exposed tubing is the council's call – for an outdoor neon look, plan on applying for consent.
• Listed buildings need listed building consent for signs, even where advertisement consent is not required.

Manchester's Shopfront and Signage Design Guide adds that conservation areas carry extra limits on illuminated adverts, and that listed buildings also need listed building consent.

Sources: Planning Portal – adverts and signs, Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007, Schedule 3, Manchester Shopfront and Signage Design Guide, as of October 2026. This is not legal advice – the council makes the final decision. More in our guide Planning permission for shop signs.

The council needs drawings or a photomontage showing size, position and illumination. With your free design preview you get:

• your sign shown on a photo of your shopfront
• dimensions, materials and light colour
• which elements light up and which are printed

You or your sign installer submit the application to the council.

• Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply – hang it up and plug it in, step by step in our installation guide.
• Outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs should be connected by a qualified electrician. Manchester has plenty of sign installers who also fit signs made by others.

Tell us where the sign will go and we will tell you what you need for installation.

• LED neon signs – for bars, cafés and shop windows
• Back-lit acrylic letters – halo lighting that fits Class 4B
• Built-up letters – for fascias outside conservation areas
• Light boxes – for retail and business frontages

All sign types at a glance

1. Send your logo, sketch or text – ideally with a photo of your shopfront
2. Receive your free digital design preview
3. After your approval, production takes about 2–3 weeks
4. Insured delivery to your address in Manchester

Every sign is dimmable and comes with a remote control and a 24-month warranty. Delivery is duty paid – no import charges when it arrives.

Do I need consent for an illuminated sign in Manchester?
In most cases yes – illuminated signs need advertisement consent from Manchester City Council unless they meet every deemed-consent condition, which never applies in conservation areas.

Can I put a neon sign in my shop window in Manchester?
A neon sign inside your shop is generally not an outdoor advertisement. For signs outside on the façade, check the consent rules above.

Do you install signs in Manchester?
Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply, so you can hang them yourself. For outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs we recommend a local electrician or sign installer.

Can I see the sign on my shopfront before ordering?
Yes. Send us a photo of your shopfront and we will show you a free design preview with your sign in place.