Lucy Zodion brings smarter control to Cleethorpes’ iconic seafront illuminations

  Posted by: electime      11th November 2026

Cleethorpes’ seafront illuminations have long been a familiar and much-loved feature of the resort.

Behind the displays, North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) has been modernising the way the illuminations are managed. In March 2025, the council upgraded from Lucy Zodion’s legacy Vizion system to the Ki. intelligent street lighting and smart city platform, installing 50 Ki. nodes across its seafront illuminations.

The upgrade has given NELC greater visibility and control, enabling the team to remotely manage the displays, automate seasonal schedules and quickly identify faults through one easy-to-use platform.

The project also demonstrates how intelligent lighting controls can be applied beyond conventional street lighting, helping local authorities manage decorative and seasonal lighting assets more efficiently.

Cleethorpes’ illuminations encompass a diverse collection of displays along the seafront. These range from longstanding features such as the popular Mouse and the Moon to catenary lighting on Central Promenade and smaller sea-themed displays mounted on street lighting columns along Alexandra Road.

The displays, which operate at different periods throughout the year, attract considerable interest. Individual installations have become local landmarks, with the temporary removal of Mouse and the Moon for repair prompting enquiries from members of the public.

NELC had previously managed the illuminations using Lucy Zodion’s Vizion system, NELC was looking to modernise its lighting control infrastructure, building on its existing capabilities while taking advantage of the greater flexibility and functionality offered by newer technology.

Working with Lucy Zodion, NELC upgraded the seafront illuminations to the Ki. Smart City platform.

Ki. enables the council to communicate remotely with the illuminations through a central management system (CMS), allowing the team to monitor and manage the displays directly from a laptop.

Scheduling is a key part of the system. NELC can programme operating periods into the Ki. calendar in advance, covering key times throughout the year such as school summer holidays, Halloween, Christmas and Easter. Once programmed, the displays automatically switch according to the agreed schedule, reducing the need for ongoing manual intervention.

Beyond simplifying day-to-day management, remote control also delivers wider operational benefits. By reducing the need for operatives and contractors to attend site, NELC can manage its resources more efficiently, while minimising unnecessary vehicle movements, disruption to the public (when carrying out the works) and associated transport emissions.

The system also provides greater visibility of the condition of the illuminations. Faults are flagged through the CMS, enabling NELC and its contractor to investigate and respond more quickly when an asset needs attention.

Ki. also supports planned maintenance. Displays can be switched on remotely when required, allowing contractors to inspect the lighting, identify missing or faulty LEDs and arrange repairs. This helps the council maintain illuminations during important seasonal periods, when residents and visitors expect to see them at their best.

The move from Vizion to Ki. has provided NELC with a simpler, more flexible way to manage Cleethorpes’ seafront illuminations.

Key benefits include:

• Greater operational efficiency – remote management reduces the need for manual intervention and unnecessary site visits.
• Simplified seasonal scheduling – automated operating periods make it easier to manage displays around key events and holidays.
• More responsive maintenance – improved fault visibility helps the council and its contractors identify issues and arrange repairs.
• Reduced environmental impact – fewer unnecessary vehicle movements help minimise associated transport emissions.
• Improved asset visibility – a single, easy-to-use platform provides greater oversight of the illuminations.

Harry Samuels, Assistant Engineer (Street Lighting) at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“Upgrading from Vizion to Ki. has made the illuminations much easier for us to manage. We can schedule when the displays come on and off, switch them remotely and see through the CMS if there’s a fault, which means we can respond quickly when something needs attention.

“The portal itself is really easy to navigate and gives us much better visibility and control. That’s particularly important because the illuminations are a much-loved feature of the Cleethorpes seafront and something residents and visitors really engage with.”

Looking Ahead

Building on the success of the seafront illuminations, NELC is exploring opportunities to introduce smart lighting controls across other assets.

With the potential to improve operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption and support the council’s wider sustainability objectives, intelligent lighting management could play an important role in the future of its lighting infrastructure.

For further information the Ki.Smart City platform please visit: https://www.lucyzodion.com/ki-community/