Gravesham Borough Council
A series of monolith signs
Gravesend
Municipal signs pointing to the post office or the park can just be functional or they can add something to the environment. At Reade Signs we always enjoy working with local authorities who want to make public spaces more attractive while providing a public service.
Gravesham Borough Council asked Reade Signs for a series of monolith signs, which feature historic images and inform the public about Gravesend’s rich historic connection with the Thames.
The council wanted the monoliths to be put in place with as little fuss or disruption as possible in the run-up to Christmas. So, rather than spend weeks fencing off pedestrian areas one at a time to install the concrete foundations and signage, we did all the groundwork first, setting a custom ground cage and frame into concrete foundations at the various locations around the town. We then fitted a temporary cover plate over each one so that pedestrians could safely walk over them.
Our fitting team installed all the monoliths in one day, simply ‘plugging in’ and bolting them down into the waiting sockets so they seemed to appear overnight to the public. Not only did the plan add to the ‘wow’ factor, it also cut down inconvenience to the public and saved the council money by avoiding the need for expensive route closure licences.
We also refurbished the town’s existing 11 tourist wayfinding finger-posts and added seven more with a modern sign system incorporating a beautiful finial on the top of each one in the shape of a Thames barge.
The council commissioned the unique sculpture and we then developed several prototypes for a custom mounting point and corresponding base plate for all of the signs, coming up with a design that allowed the two parts to come together seamlessly.
By pre-installing foundations and using temporary cover plates, Reade Signs enabled all monoliths to be installed in a single day—minimising disruption and costs during the busy holiday season.
The monoliths and updated wayfinding signs celebrate Gravesend’s Thames heritage, blending historic imagery with sleek, durable sign systems and bespoke sculptural finials.
The efficient groundwork strategy avoided expensive road closures while adding a surprise “wow” factor for the public—earning praise from both Gravesham and Kent County Councils.
Contact Reade Signs today to learn how we can help transform your property marketing efforts.
