Australian company sheds new light on Westminster Hall

Westminster Hall has received a 21st-century update, courtesy of an Australian company. The Gerard Lighting Group’s Pierlite Division in the UK has installed almost 1000 LED energy-saving lamps in six huge chandeliers that grace Westminster Hall - the oldest part of the UK Houses of Parliament, built in the 11th century.

Australian company Pierlite has won a contract to install LED lamps in Westminster Hall.

The chandeliers had previously been fitted with incandescent bulbs that had a short life, requiring frequent replacement. Pierlite UK won the contract to replace the incandescent bulbs with LED energy-saving lamps.

David Blackley, Pierlite International’s Sales and Marketing Manager, said that the contract was “undoubtedly prestigious”, despite its small size.

The new LED lamps use just 7.5 W compared with the incandescent bulbs’ 40 W and have a life of 35,000 hours - dramatically reducing replacement costs. Similar in appearance to the incandescent bulbs, the LEDs meet brightness and colour requirements and can be dimmed to 30%.

“Westminster Hall is one of the oldest public buildings in the world, the venue for the trial of Charles I and the Coronation Feast of James II. It is also where members of the British Royal family lie in state before burial,” said Blackley.

“It is a matter of considerable pride to us that 21st century Pierlite products are now illuminating a building that has borne witness to 900 years of British history.”