Brilliant lighting upgrade illuminates Reading's cultural gems

Chief electrician Tim describes the venues' 'beautiful' transformation

Great news from Reading Arts and Venues! Tim Liddle, the chief electrician, sheds light on a brilliant transformation at the Reading Concert Hall and Hexagon Theatre.

Reading Arts and Venues is making some serious progress on their journey to net zero. 

Thanks to the Recycling Fund, they have kicked off some cool projects that are really moving the needle.

The Salix England Recycling Fund is a ring-fenced fund with capital provided by Salix and matched by the partner organisation, to be spent on energy-saving projects with paybacks up to ten years.

In a recent chat, Tim shared the exciting journey of upgrading the venue's lighting system from old-school incandescent bulbs to state-of-the-art LED technology.

The result? A dazzling success that's as easy on the eyes as it is on the planet!

"It's just beautiful," Tim beams, his eyes twinkling like the new LED lights he's so proud of.

The upgrade, completed just before the pandemic struck, has breathed new life into this beloved cultural space.

Gone are the old incandescent bulbs, replaced by state-of-the-art LED fixtures from Electronic Theatre Controls.

The new LED system has brought a fresh glow to the historic hall.

It's not just about being brighter and better; it's a proper win for the environment too.

Tim enthusiastically reports that the new setup uses a mere 10% of the power compared to the old lights.

This eco-friendly switch is set to save a whopping 9.36 tonnes of CO2 annually – this translates to over £10,000 in yearly savings.

Over its lifetime, we're looking at a staggering 234 tonnes of CO2 reduction and £265,000 in savings.

Tim's particularly tickled by how the new lights maintain the venue's character while bringing it firmly into the 21st century. "It feels the same, but with all the efficiency and quality of new LED lighting," he explains.

So, next time you're tapping your feet at a concert in Reading, spare a thought for the brilliant lights above.

They're not just illuminating the performances; they're shining a light on a greener, brighter future for our beloved cultural spaces.

Jolly good show, Reading Arts and Venues!