Leading signage and display specialist City Signs is delighted to mark its 65th year in business. Founder Horace Wilkins first opened the doors to City Signs in 1960 and in 2025 the company continues its strong family roots, with two of his children steering the business to new levels of success, the company is proud to maintain a strong client base both regionally and nationally.
Launched by Horace Wilkins in Luton after having served his apprenticeship in signwriting, he then moved the company to Worcester in the late 1960’s. First located in a modest shop unit in Foregate Street, Horace made a name for himself in the sector by specialising in traditional signwriting methods alongside embracing new emerging technologies.
65 years later, City Signs is firmly established just outside Worcester in Hallow, on the Top Ball Mill Industrial Estate in a 2,700sq ft unit which houses a visitor showroom, a design studio, two digital print rooms, a sizable assembly area and a vehicle workshop.
Family Tradition
Two of Horace’s children, Darren and Deanne, first started working at the firm as temporary employment, however, quickly realising the technical nature of the industry and huge variety in the work, decided to put their all into the business. Together they have built on their father’s legacy and pushed the growth of City Signs to even greater heights as the region’s leading signage specialist. The company is still underpinned by and committed to, its core values of: the highest quality of workmanship, community, sustainability and tradition.
Darren Wilkins, Managing Director of City Signs, commented: “It’s quite amazing really, to think that Deanne and I first picked up the tools here in the late 90s in what we thought were temporary roles, and how it then progressing to us deciding to combine forces with our parents in running the company, and since they stepped back, contemplate where we’ve managed to get to, today. We’re proud and delighted to have built on the strong foundations laid by our parents, and as we go past 65 years of business, continue to drive City Signs forwards, always underpinned by the values they established in us as children, and the company itself – workmanship, community, sustainability and tradition – which are incredibly important to us and we strive to achieve this in every way possible, from supporting our community, to ensuring our methods are as environmentally attuned as possible.”
He added: “We look forward to continue the growth of City Signs, with plans to expand the team and increase our already solid customer base across Worcestershire, the UK and internationally.”
Lasting Values
City Signs has always kept up to date with the latest signage technology along its journey, including in 1989 when Horace had the foresight to invest in his first basic vinyl letter cutting machine to work alongside his traditional signwriting methods, greatly increasing the speed of output but not compromising on quality.
Community has always been an important value to City Signs and it boasts strong ties with local businesses and organisations. It currently sponsors Worcester Rugby Club, the two companies being closely engrained in the community with an emphasis on tradition and family values. As part of celebrations for their 60th anniversary, City Signs raised hundreds of pounds for local children’s cancer charity, the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust. Managing Director Darren is also a trustee for the charity and the City Signs family continues to support this vital cause in a variety of ways.
Consistency and growth
With an almost 100% customer satisfaction rating, City Signs is well known for delivering a precise, quality service, on time and in a friendly, professional manner. They not only have many clients in Worcestershire and beyond the Midlands, but also their international customers stretch as far as Disneyland, Hong Kong. City Signs is a multi-award-winning company, who provide cost effective solutions throughout a range of services such as bespoke signage, vehicle livery, banners and flags, digital print, design services and portable displays.
For more information about City Signs call 01905 640 007 or email info@citysigns.co.uk.
