Delivering a wireless conferencing system in a Grade II listed building
Southampton Council Chambers, Southampton
This case study looks at how we delivered a fully wireless delegate and audio system for Southampton Council Chambers – a futureproofed, flexible solution installed within a Grade II listed building.
The result? Seamless conferencing capabilities, modern usability, and protected architectural heritage – all delivered to a business-critical deadline.
About Southampton Council Chambers
Southampton Council Chambers is a vital hub for regional business, connecting organisations across industries and supporting the local economy with professional development, resources, and strategic networking. When the Chamber embarked on an extensive refurbishment of its headquarters, upgrading the conferencing and audio infrastructure became a key priority.
The existing systems were outdated – pushing the limits of reliability and functionality. Our first conversations revealed the need for a comprehensive overhaul: something wireless, modern, and flexible enough to meet the demands of in-person and hybrid meetings, while respecting the constraints of a listed building.
The Project
The council team came to us with a clear goal: to transform their conferencing capabilities while maintaining operational simplicity. They needed an intuitive system that would allow everyone in the room to contribute, support hybrid meetings via Teams and Zoom, and offer built-in functionality for digital voting and result capture.
Usability was a key priority. The system had to be straightforward enough for team members at every level to operate seamlessly, without technical support on hand.
The Challenges
One of the defining aspects of this project was the nature of the building itself: a Grade II listed site. This meant we had to work within very specific constraints around mounting, cabling, and integration, ensuring that no part of the installation compromised the historic nature of the venue.
In addition, the Chamber had a clear deadline: the new system had to be live and functioning in time for a set of key meetings involving both internal and external participants. With just four months from point of order to go-live, timing was critical.
The Solution
Our team designed and delivered a completely wireless conferencing and audio system, centred around 70 Shure Microflex Complete wireless delegate units. These allow participants to speak and hear each other clearly, regardless of room layout, and support seamless integration with digital platforms.
We also implemented an audio system for the public gallery to ensure external attendees could hear proceedings, and included voting functionality controlled by the chairperson. Results are automatically recorded and exportable for official use.
A flexible secondary space – a subdivisible breakout room – was also fitted with a compatible audio system, new displays, and user-friendly interfacing. The same wireless delegate units can be used in both spaces, automatically syncing as they move between rooms.
From early-stage consultancy to demonstrations and design refinement, the project took shape over a 4–6 week collaborative period. Following that, we managed a smooth installation and met the client’s deadline comfortably.
Training, Support and Ongoing Care
For a system of this complexity, comprehensive support was key. We delivered two half-day training sessions with supporting documentation, and provided live technical support at the Chamber’s first two meetings on site.
In addition, our team attended these sessions remotely to assess external viewer experience and troubleshoot in real-time. We continue to offer 24-hour remote support, ensuring the system remains reliable and responsive to the Chamber’s evolving needs.
Why Middlesex Sound & Lighting?
This project came to us via a recommendation. A contact who had supported the Chamber during the pandemic with temporary AV solutions introduced us as the team who could deliver the right permanent result.
We were chosen not just for our track record with high-end installations, but because we could deliver a full turnkey package – conferencing, audio, and video – with confidence, within the client’s timeframe. With extensive experience working in sensitive and listed environments, we were a natural fit.
Customer Satisfaction
The Chamber were delighted with the results, sharing their feedback via a 5-star Google review:
“Steve and the team at Middlesex Sound and Lighting have been fantastic on our project updating the equipment for our conferencing rooms. From working in the proposed solution to installation and then support the service has been brilliant. I cannot fault the service and would highly recommend them.”
– Gavin Muncaster, Southampton Council Chambers