A city landmark will light up the sky once more after months of darkness.
Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Quays will showcase its updated lighting system with a ‘breath-taking’ run of displays starting on 15th November as part of a winter show across the shopping centre.
Replacing outdated floppy disk programme
Lights were switched off at the structure in early September to install a new control system as it was revealed it was running from an outdated floppy disk programme.
Portsmouth City Council’s culture boss, Councillor Steve Pitt, said,
“As one of the most iconic landmarks on the south coast, we have a duty to ensure the Spinnaker Tower continues to be a world class tourist destination and place for residents to visit.”
A total of 96 lightbulbs in the tower were also replaced with energy efficient lights. Overall the new system will save the council £28,000 a year in maintenance costs and will increase the efficiency and lifetime of the lights.
The system will also allow for the lights to be controlled remotely and set to music.
Pitt: New capabilities truly breath-taking
Cllr Pitt added,
“This major upgrade illustrates how we continue to be proactive in finding new ways to improve our buildings and attractions whilst simultaneously looking to save energy and money.
“The new capabilities of the Spinnaker Tower lights are truly breath-taking and we look forward to being able to show residents exactly what it can do.”
Light Show Spectacular
The free Light Show Spectacular at Gunwharf Quays will feature the iconic attraction’s new lighting system, as well as lights by the outlet’s harbour and canal which will be set to music, across nine consecutive evenings at specific times.
Light shows will run from 15th to 23rd November. They will run daily at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm and 8pm from Sunday to Thursday, and at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Future light shows
Following this event the Spinnaker Tower will then run light shows every evening, from sunset until 11pm.
The future colour of the tower is still yet to be decided, with its current sponsorship deal with Emirates coming to an end next year.
Councillors have previously said a new sponsorship deal will be sought.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may be been made by OnTheWight. Ed
