There were 39 heritage-style lamp posts removed from the mall as part of the revamp, but two have sprung up further along High Street.

The Maitland Repertory Theatre received two of the lamps when they were given away and sold in 2014.

The group has since installed the lights in front of their theatre, on the corner of High and James streets.

“We thought it was a great place to put them,” theatre secretary Ian Robinson said.

“They provide a nice entrance to the ­theatre. We are bringing a bit of old Maitland back.”

The lamps were originally bought in 1988 and had no significant heritage value, but many residents were fond of them and wanted Maitland City Council to keep them.

Instead, many of them were removed and shared between six venues or private citizens on the condition that they were not placed in a public park or road reserve.

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle bought 16 of the lamps, which remain in storage.

Vice-chancellor of administration at the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Sean Scanlon, said the lights were bought in the they would be reused.

While there were no plans to install them in the Maitland cathedral precinct development Mr Scanlon said the design would include a form of heritage-style lights in keeping with the area.

“The diocese is currently reviewing potential uses for the lights and once agreed will confirm where they will be placed,” he said.

The Maitland Rotary clubs were given 10 of the lamps.

The Rotary Club of East Maitland’s David Sciffer said of the 10 there were at least nine in reasonable condition.

The club was in the middle of negotiations with a local trade group to start the restoration process.

Several groups, including St Peter’s Anglican Church at East Maitland and Mansfield House, had shown interest in installing the finished products.

The rest of the heritage lamps were dispersed between the Millers Forest Progress Association, Eric and Sandra 

van Leeuwarden, Morpeth Museum, Grossmann House and Nicola and Craig Young. 

Residents can see the lamps lit up outside the Maitland Repertory Theatre during the next show on November 20.