A group of businesses are to get their name in lights on Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge this autumn after sponsoring a campaign to mark the city’s emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The firms have supported the 156-year-old bridge’s involvement in the national #SupportOurMuseums campaign, which is helping historic buildings overcome the challenges of the past 18 months. 
Thanks to a Crowdfunding campaign and the backing of 10 Bristol firms and organisations, Brunel’s landmark bridge – a Grade I listed building – will be lit up in blue for one night. While no date has been confirmed, it is likely to be in late October.
The headline sponsor of the Light The Night event is Clifton College along with corporate sponsors accountants Smith & Williamson, AMP Electrical, Axtec, Chew Valley Construction, international consulting group COWI, Bristol load measurement group James Fisher Strainstall, Bristol design agency Modular Digital and event technology firm Pytch, also based in Bristol.
Although the bridge is lit every evening with white LED lights, for one night it will turn blue – the colour voted for by the Crowdfunder campaign supporters. 
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust chair Chris Booy said: “Illuminations have always played a significant role in the enjoyment of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
“As part of the opening ceremony on December 8, 1864, the bridge was illuminated using state-of-the-art electric lighting, limelight and magnesium lighting.
“With Light The Night, our intention is to create a special moment to surprise and delight the people of Bristol.”
Smith & Williamson Bristol managing partner Nigel Hardy, pictured, said the firm’s branding would be one of several appearing on the bridge during the special event.
“As a firm we have a close association with the suspension bridge and so we are delighted to be supporting an initiative that will provide such a great visual spectacle for the people of Bristol as the city emerges from worst of the pandemic.”
Smith & Williamson, part of leading wealth management and professional services firm Tilney Smith & Williamson, provides investment management, accountancy, tax and financial advisory services to private clients, corporates, SMEs, professional practices and non-profit organisations. Its Bristol office is one of 11 across the UK, Ireland and Jersey.
