UK - The Grade II-listed Winter Gardens Blackpool has a proud heritage dating back to 1878. As a driving force in the regional economy of the North West of England, the venue hosts a diverse range of events in its various spaces. These include concerts, theatre productions, conferences, exhibitions, weddings, dance competitions, and international matchplay darts.
This varied programme necessitates versatile and flexible technical provisions. Recently, the Winter Gardens Blackpool team, in consultation with supplier ArranPaul, reviewed its audio systems to enhance and future-proof its inventory. As a result, they chose two HK Audio systems.
Venue Technician Allen Hendley explains: “We needed replacements for systems that were no longer meeting our needs. The new systems had to deliver high-quality audio and be powerful and portable enough to suit various spaces within the complex, catering to different events. These range from live bands to speeches at charity dinners or background music for conference presentations. While affordability was key, we also sought robust, long-term solutions.
“A few years ago, we had invested in an HK Audio line array for the ballroom and were impressed by the brand's sound quality and build. That system has served us well. Following discussions with ArranPaul and Stuart Russell from HK’s UK distributor, Polar, we opted for two HK Audio Venue Packs, which have proven to be very sound investments.”
Winter Gardens Blackpool has invested in a Linear 5 MK II Big Venue Pack and a Linear 3 Compact Venue Pack. The former is an active system comprising two Linear 5 MK II 115 FA mid/high units and four MK II 118 Sub A subwoofers. The latter, a compact system, includes two LInear 3 112 FA mid/highs and two SUB 1500 A subwoofers.
The multi-faceted Spanish Hall at Winter Gardens Blackpool is one of the spaces benefiting from the new systems. Allen continues: “The heritage nature of the venue limits fixed installations in many rooms. Additionally, their use in various configurations means portability and modularity are essential to maintain flexibility. The Spanish Hall, for instance, can host up to 600 attendees for events ranging from business conferences to private functions with live performances. The Linear 5 Big Venue Pack handles these with ease.
“The compact Linear 3 system’s versatility allows us to use it as a delay system or a standalone system in smaller rooms. Depending on the event's scale, the Linear 5 units can also be adapted to a smaller setup, using just one sub per side or sometimes only the tops for small-scale presentations.”
Allen Hendley adds, “ArranPaul has been a trusted supplier for Winter Gardens for many years, providing exceptional service. We also have direct contact with Stuart and the team at Polar, who provide outstanding support for the brands they distribute. Their responsiveness and attention to detail give us extra confidence when investing in new systems.”
