Monday March 9th 2026
The lamp post on North Berwick's Quality Street is in need of restoration
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
A 100-year-old East Lothian lamp post could make an appearance on the popular BBC show The Repair Shop’s Christmas special this year.
The Provost’s Lamp was installed outside North Berwick’s council chambers over a century ago after it was gifted to the town by the local gas company.
A report due to go before councillors later this week reveals the BBC show has contacted the local authority looking for community projects which could be included in their festive show at the end of the year.
And officers are asking permission to put the lamp post forward for renovation although they admit it is unlikely they will be able to remove it from the street.
Instead they suggest the decorative casing for the light could be taken away for restoration work.
The report, which is due to be considered by the council’s Common Good Committee says: “The BBC approached East Lothian Council in February looking for potential community projects to form part of the 2026 Christmas Special.
“The lamppost restoration proposal had been put forward to the show for consideration by North Berwick Community Council at approximately the same time.”
Members are asked to “approve that the Connected Communities Manager for North Berwick Coastal ward engage with North Berwick Community Council and the BBC’s Repair Shop tv show procedures to establish the feasibility and practicality of the lamppost outside the mothballed Council Chambers in North Berwick being restored as part of the 2026 Christmas Special and give consent for the proposed restoration work to be undertaken.”
The lamp post was one of two gifted to the town by the gas company, while it remained outside the chambers, the other was placed outside the home of each provost serving the seaside town while they existed. Ownership of the lamps are assumed to fall under North Berwick Common Good Fund.
Traditionally items being restored in The Repair Shop travel to its base however the report warns: “There is a concern that damage could be caused to the post if trying to lift/remove it from the ground. Given its age, there is uncertainty as to how it’s secured into the ground.
“Colleagues in Road Services have suggested that the most practical way to restore the lamppost may be to restore the post in situ but remove the lamp case for restoration and modernisation.”
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