UK regional theatres say they need cash to keep communities ticking

The UK’s regional theatres are teetering on the brink of (often physical) collapse. According to the Society of London Theatres and UK Theatre around 40 per cent of theatres face closure and another 40 per cent could become too unsafe to use within a year without urgent funding. Leaking roofs and ageing building materials mean one in five venues require at least £5 million over the next decade to stay open. Despite losing around £330 million in box office sales during lockdown, many regional theatres continue to operate as community hubs. But they need investment. SOLT and UK Theatre are asking the chancellor for £300 million by 2030 to support the 220 venues with the most urgent needs. Researchers at Sound Direction, a consultancy, found that theatre audiences spent £1.74 billion on tickets with an additional £1.93 billion spent locally on food, drink, transport and accommodation.