For visitors who hadn't previously made it to Wimbledon, the Open Day allowed White Light to demonstrate its greatly expanded facilities and improved access; those who had already discovered the delights of the new building were able to see how the office and warehouse facilities had been fine-tuned over the first year, and to inspect the newly-finished demonstration area. Visitors were also able to play with the very latest lighting products, many making their first appearance outside of the PLASA Show, including the new Viper 2.6 and Viper De Luxe smoke machines from Look Solutions, ETC's new MultiPar batten and Emphasis control system, Rainbow colour changers and the complete range of Robert Juliat lanterns and followspots, for which White Light is the exclusive UK distributor. The Moving Light Company was showing the much-anticipated Whole Hog 3 console as well as its WYSIWYG visualisation suite - while at the same time preparing a rig of newly-arrived High End StudioBeams for delivery to Our House at the Cambridge Theatre later the same day!
As if White Light's new base isn't big enough, a marquee was set up in the huge yard outside the building and suitably lit by White Light Event's designer Mike Robertson (though White Light's Deputy Managing Director Bryan Raven strongly denies rumours that the company is applying for a wedding licence!) A huge variety of guests - including production managers, producers, lighting designers, event organisers and a couple of competitors! - and the balmy late summer weather meant that the event went on well past the originally planned 7pm finishing time.
With 35,000 square feet of warehouse and equipment preparation space, and 10,000 square feet of office space, the new White Light Group headquarters has allowed all of the Group members - including White Light Hire, White Light Sales, The Moving Light Company, The Service Company, Modelbox, Colourhouse, White Light Events and Enliten - to be brought together under one roof for the first time. The building also now provides a home to other lighting-related companies, including corporate lighting specialists Rainmaker and sales specialists Action Lighting. The building is easily accessible by road, rail, tube, bus and even tram, with directions available here.
"The Open Day was hugely entertaining, and a great end to a busy PLASA Show," commented White Light's Bryan Raven. "We hope all who came had a great time - they certainly seemed to be, whether looking around, playing with the new toys or just socialising. We also hope that those who didn't make it won't stay away for too long - they are welcome, any time!"