Inside the Blackpool Illuminations factory where the magic is made

The origin illuminations depot was based in Blackpool’s Rigby Road, but the whole operation moved to the Lightworks depot in 2010.

Away from the bustle of the factory floor, design engineer Dominic Strange turns artists’ drawings into manufacturable pieces.

“I’ll be given a sketch by an artist and I’ll work with everyone to come up with a way to turn it into a practical, mechanical solution,” he says.

“I always think my main job is to look at a tableau from the back rather than the front, seeing all the metal work and thinking how can we support all the design features and make them a reality.”

Dominic says he never gets tired of seeing his projects in real life and is looking forward to showing his family this year.

“It’s a massive deal to work here, I grew up in Lancaster and it was always a big part of the year coming to see the illuminations,” he said.

“It’s kind of a ‘pinch me’ moment every time I drive along the prom and see something I’ve worked on. And I’ve got a new little one to show it to this year.”