Colchester's Mercury theatre's cost of living crisis struggle

Colchester’s Mercury Theatre is enjoying record ticket sales for its festive production of Beauty and the Beast.

But this year’s panto was also the theatre’s most expensive, with the cost of materials for building sets rising by 30 per cent.

The theatre’s annual energy bill is set to reach £120,000, up from £40,000 last year.

But it cannot pass on the cost, as audiences booked tickets month in advance and prices were fixed to ensure the production was accessible to a wide range of people.

Steve Mannix, the theatre’s executive director, said: “We are grateful to more than 35,000 for coming along this year and placing their faith in us to deliver a great show.

“Throughout this year we have faced an increase at close to £100,000 on our utility costs despite being in the top 25 per cent of environmentally friendly public buildings in the UK.

“We are stuck between a rock and a hard place – like many other similar charities, businesses and public services. Increase costs and no-one will come.”

• READ MORE: Colchester's Mercury Theatre on rising energy bills amid cost of living crisis

The theatre, which recently underwent a £11 million upgrade, is an important space in Colchester, supporting vulnerable residents as a nominated ‘warm space’.

It also raises funds to offer bursaries to youngsters from low-income backgrounds to attend its youth theatres, community workshops and to offer free tickets.

Steve Mannix (Image: Web)

“We try to do our bit to cheer everyone up in these challenging times,” said Mr Mannix.

“We have written to our MP, Will Quince to ask that the business utility relief is extended.

“At present it only extends to March 2023 and does not meet the reality of the costs.

“Whilst we welcome the increase in minimum wages this and increased overheads makes it impossible to budget with confidence.

“It feels like we are all fire-fighting with no long-term planning.

“As a sector we are still struggling to fully recover post pandemic.

“The government’s spending on arts and culture is literally petty cash yet is one of the most resilient areas of the economy that earns far more in VAT receipts, international investment and contributes to the economic recovery of towns and city centres across the UK.”

The government's £18 billion Energy Bill Relief Scheme, announced in September, pledged fixed wholesale gas and electricity prices from October to March 31 2023.

The government has yet to announce whether the scheme will be extended.