Last week in Parliament, I raised an issue that’s close to my heart — the urgent need to protect traditional heritage crafts, starting with neon sign-making.
Neon may seem like a relic of the past, but it’s a living art form. In Bolton South and Walkden, we’re proud to be home to Neon Creations, one of the few remaining workshops in the country still practising this intricate, hand-crafted trade. The team there are artisans in the truest sense — shaping glass by hand, filling it with gas, and creating signs that bring our streets and businesses to life.
But this craft is now critically endangered. Without apprenticeships, recognition or support, it may disappear altogether — along with countless other traditional skills across the UK.
In the video above, you can watch my speech in the House of Commons, where I called on the government to:
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Recognise neon sign-making as a heritage craft
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Fund training and apprenticeships to keep it alive
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Support workshops and makers who are preserving this knowledge
This isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about jobs, skills, and culture, especially in towns like Bolton with a proud tradition of making and creativity.
I want to hear from you. Are there other local crafts, trades, or small makers you believe need protection? Let’s make sure we’re not the generation that allowed our cultural heritage to vanish.
📩 Get in touch: yasmin.qureshi.mp@parliament.uk
Together, we can shine a light on the incredible skills that shaped our communities — and keep them alive for generations to come.