Skinflint – the UK supplier of reclaimed industrial and period lighting known for its sustainable practices – has announced that it’s closing the business.
In a statement, the company, said its journey has been ‘challenging’. It’s believed that the changing trends in interiors, competition and rising costs have all added to pressure on the Cornwall-based firm.
‘Our journey has been challenging but brilliant, and challenging is how we always wanted it to be,’ it said.
‘From day one, we set out to be a challenger; we founded Skinflint on a mission to challenge the status quo.
‘We existed to defy the norms of the lighting sector and become a proven alternative to modern-day disposable lighting choices. And even in the trickiest of hours, even though it was even more challenging than we envisaged, we stuck to it.
‘We worked sustainably, responsibly, sourcing, salvaging, saving and stopping over 50,000 vintage lights from going to landfill.
‘We became a B Corp, worked with brilliant brands, fantastic influencers and a team of staff and suppliers that shared in our vision. And for that, we’re really proud, and really grateful.
‘So whilst our doors may be closed, we leave a legacy of illuminated lights that are switched on from London and New York, to Sydney and San Francisco, ready to inspire the next generation of challengers, to put people and planet above profit and make business a force for good.’
Skinflint supplied bars, restaurants, hotels, workplaces, film companies and private homes all over the world with refurbished light fittings.
It was especially known for its pre-used industrial high bays, pendants and wall lights which have been fashionable in recent decades.
The company’s buyers sourced them from derelict factories across Europe, refurbishes them and tests them for electrical safety before putting them back on the market.
It had a pioneering ‘buy-back’ scheme in which luminaires were bought back from the end users at the end of their life.
Under the plan, clients who no longer require the luminaires could trade them in exchange for a 50 per cent credit towards a future purchase.
• Learn more about sustainable lighting at Circular Lighting Live 2025, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at the Minster Building in the City of London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2025 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live
