THE award-winning Palace Theatre in Redditch is proving to be a box office success over the last ten to 12 years.
Completely refurbished in 2006 and with a small, dedicated full time staff of six augmented by part timers, apprentices, work experience placements, interns and a large army of volunteers the Palace is thriving as it looks towards 2019.
Attendances are up and income has grown even as costs have been cut by becoming a greener building through the purchase of new LED lighting for the stage, admin offices and public areas.
Electrical costs have been offset by the use of solar panels on the roof and heating costs have been lowered through insulation and new energy efficient A rated gas boilers for hot water and heating.
As a result the theatre won the GDS Award for Venue Sustainability in 2014 and gained a Highly Commended in the Best Festival and Events category in the Visit Worcestershire Awards for Excellence in 2016.
It has also been awarded Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the past three years.
From 2010 onwards there have been constant savings year on year to its running costs which now total to date over £352,420.00.
at the same time the number of performances each year has also risen from 179 in 2010/11 to the current 280 in 2017/18.
Ticket sales have dramatically increased from 48,678 in 2010/11 to 62,480 in 2017/18 with the help of a new box office and online system.
This in turn has bolstered income from £591,653 in 2010/11 to £1,109,386 in 2017/18 in tickets sales and secondary spend.
This year’s Christmas pantomime Aladdin, has already sold 80 per cent of available seats, with a stunning cast, special effects combined with professional pantomime producers Paul Holman Associates it looks set to beat previous attendance and box office records.
Now run by Rubicon Leisure, the Borough Council’s spin-off ‘arm’s length’ enterprise the Palace is well set to continue its success.
