To mark this expansion, it is inviting everyone along to explore the new facility during an Open Day on Thursday, 21 July.
"For those who remember it, our base in Fulham was charming but difficult to work in, particularly as more and more shows moved to HGV transport and the drivers had to back down the narrow suburban streets," comments White Light's managing director, Bryan Raven. "Moving to Wimbledon a decade ago immediately made life easier, with much more office space, much more storage and equipment preparation space, and much, much easier truck access.
"Of course, 10 years later and with the massive growth we've enjoyed, particularly in lighting sales and lighting for live events, it no longer feels quite so spacious. Which is why we're delighted to have been able to expand into an adjacent building - giving us more storage room but more importantly more space for preparing shows, carrying out equipment demonstrations, even pre-lighting or rehearsing shows if required."
The new building will operate in three sections. One will provide dramatically enhanced storage for White Light's sales operations, which now sees the company serving as the exclusive UK distributor for 14 major international lighting manufacturers. The second will provide a clear area for visiting crews to pre-rig new productions and tours, free from the noise and distractions of White Light's hundreds of other hire projects but with equipment and cable just a few metres away when it's required and with a private loading dock available for packing the equipment onto trucks.
The final area provides a large, clear, blacked-out demonstration, pre-lighting or even rehearsal space, with rigging and power available. "Lighting designers have long had to imagine what a light could do over a long throw while being shown it in a tiny demo room," Raven comments. "We're going to let them try things - a single product or even a complete rig - in the kind of environment they'll actually use it in, with a member of staff dedicated to running the demo space and organising equipment in response to designer requests."
The new building is open for business now. The Open Day will provide an opportunity not only to see it, but to check out the latest additions to White Light's comprehensive lighting and sales stocks, including the new prototype of the JB Lighting A8 Zoom and A12 Zoom, the Galaxia LED Softlight, the LEDko LED spotlight from Coemar, the full range of fixtures including the Aledin LED units from Robert Juliat, the LED range from LeaderLight and more.
All are welcome to the Open Day, which will run from 2pm until 8pm on Thursday 21 July. If you are planning to attend, White Light just ask you to email info@WhiteLight.Ltd.uk , if only so they can order enough food and refreshments.
(Jim Evans)
