The trust has now completed it’s first full year of trading and completed the first annual accounts. Predictably due to the amount of capital expenditure undertaken, we made a small loss, but after depreciation our asset value has increased to over £22,000.
Now that we can compare trading figures year on year, we can see growth in sales all of which is coming through online sales.
More people are visiting us from further afield and people are planning visits to the cinema and theatre whilst in the area on holiday. Local restaurants are reporting an increase in pre-show sales, and along with increased stopovers this is having a positive effect on the local economy.
We have now launched a business partnership scheme, to work more closely with a number of businesses and a friends scheme, with various rewards for our most loyal customers.
We have already staged the first of our Christmas shows with the ever popular and spectacular Tenbury Floral Arts “Spirit of the Season” Show that is something that has to be seen to be believed. We are now looking forward to a busy December, with several Christmas favourites. Firstly the Nutcracker from the Royal Opera House, then the Tenbury Town Band’s Christmas Concert, followed by four performances of Dick Whittington, and our Children’s Christmas Party with the Muppet’s Christmas Carol.
We have no live shows in January, but have packed the schedule to breaking point with great movies and award winning productions from the Globe Theatre.
From February we will be able to show content from the National Theatre, starting with their award winning War Horse. Along with content from the Royal Opera House, the Royal Shakespeare Company & the Globe Theatre, we are seeing us become the venue of choice for an ever larger number of people.
Our live season kicks off in February with our own variety fund raising show, starring Bobby Crush & Chris Davis, followed towards the end of the month by Abbamania which is guaranteed to get Tenbury up and dancing however cold it is outside.
In early March we are joining in with the Borderlines Film Festival which we hope will give us even greater exposure to regular film goers, and remind people that we are back in operation, better than ever.
On a sad note; we say goodbye this month to our Heritage Access Officer, Sarah Fellows who starts a new job in Birmingham. Sarah has been the driving force behind many initiatives and has been of immeasurable assistance behind the scenes. We are desperately seeking additional funding to try to retain her if only part time. We have also seen our part time Arts Manager, James Dakers find a new job in Birmingham, which has resulted in far fewer hours being spent with us.
