Purpose

Many historical theatres and venues use a
restoration levy as a funding stream to assist with maintenance and
development / capital projects.
 
The per ticket levy is charged in addition to
the cost of each ticket with a narrative for its inclusion. and
purpose within the website and the booking journey.
 
For historic public buildings with local
significance in the community, the levy is generally an easy
message to convey where the public can see a tangible benefit aimed
at a specific capital project or target.
 
The Regent Theatre will commemorate its 100th
anniversary in 2029 and a front of house capital works programme
has been proposed for a number of years with an expected cost of
£3.2m based on current inflationary rates for the entire
project.
 
This work is integral to protecting and
preserving the long-term sustainability of the theatre, improving
the customer experience and accessibility as well as maximising key
revenue streams.  Significant work has
been undertaken to scope and plan this work in advance of a final
decision on the levy.  Works planned
will include -
 
• Increasing the number and quality of
toilets in all public facing areas
• Introduction of new ground and first
floor accessible toilets and ‘Changing Places’
provision
• Restoration and refurbishment of
historic building features
• New bars to reduce queues, increase
quality and breadth of refreshment offering.
• Improved access to the Circle Bar
• Additional seating both upstairs and
downstairs in front of house areas
• Improvements to overall atmosphere,
lighting, and customer experience across all our front of house
areas.
 
The current front of house space is limited
when considered alongside the existing programme and footfall,
resulting in extended queues for toilets, slow and ineffective bar
service, lack of access to first floor areas and substandard
facilities for customers requiring access assistance.
 
All ticket sales beyond the date of this
decision will have the restoration levy attached, each new show
contracted has the levy included in the contract.
 
Tickets sold through third party ticket
agencies such as Ticketmaster and See Tickets will still be liable
to the levy being charged, as it presently is with other venues
with such levies who use ticket agencies. It’s industry
standard that such charges are accepted and appropriately
charged.
 
To enable affordability on family shows and
lowest price tickets we would not include the levy on tickets at
£10 or less, currently 3% of our total annual sales.
 
We also still retain the option for a bespoke
“voluntary donation” campaign to run alongside the
restoration levy whereby patrons can be prompted to donate a fixed
or flexible amount at the end of the transaction.
 
Subject to any planning permission required a
procurement process will begin with the view to construction work
on the theatre starting in May/June 2025 with estimated completion
in time for the Christmas Pantomime in December 2025.

Decision

To implement a Restoration Levy of £1.50
on all tickets sold for performances at the Regent Theatre with a
value of more than £10 with effect from the date of this
decision.
 
Reason:
To assist with maintenance and
development/capital projects and to preserve and protect the long
term sustainability of the theatre.