Theatre fans have received refunds of more than £112,000 ($145,000/€120,000) in total following the sudden closure of two venues in North Devon.
More than 1,500 people bought tickets for shows at the two theatres that went into administration in January. The issues began due to the financial woes of the North Devon Theatres’ Trust, which operated the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple (pictured) and the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe.
The two venues were forced into closure, with accountancy firm Bishop Fleming taking over as administrators.
Within six months of the venues being closed, Bishop Fleming has secured more the £112,000 in refunds from customers’ debit and credit card providers, according to the Stage entertainment news website.
Bishop Fleming has arranged for a further £10,000 in compensation for customers that had tickets for the weekend in January that the venues closed, according to a report by the administrators.
In addition, £18,705 raised through the theatres’ fundraising campaign, Buy Our Buildings, has been ring-fenced for repayment to donors.
The North Devon Theatres’ Trust initially said poor ticket sales and reductions in grants from the council were the reason for its financial situation.
The council regained control of the theatres, who went on to sell £24,000 worth of assets from the venues to Bishop Flemings. The council entered into a one-year deal with Parkwood Theatres in April as the buildings’ new operators, and the theatres have since reopened.
Image: SMJ
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