A theatre director has revealed it could cost over a million pounds to keep the lights on this winter due to soaring fuel costs.
The iconic Lowry Theatre is facing ‘major challenge’ to stay open, as its upcoming energy bill is ‘substantially more’ than the £860,000 a year it receives in Arts Council funding.
Compared to the previous year, its chief executive Julia Fawcett says the site’s bill for 2022-23 is projected to cost three times as much.
While the theatre in Salford is working to reduce energy consumption, it is bound to feel the impact after the energy price cap is raised in October.
‘We believe this is a major challenge that will be felt across our sector,’ Ms Fawcett told the Guardian.
She said the theatre is unable to reveal an exact figure for its bill as it is ‘actively working to renegotiate contracts and suppliers’.
Named after the 20th century painter LS Lowry – famous for his depictions of Northern working class scenes- the theatre has been the crown jewel of the Salford Quays.
It was seen as the lynchpin behind much of the area’s regeneration since its doors in October 2000.
Compared to other local theatres, the Lowry instead boasts a sleek, hyper-modern design made entirely out of glass and steel.
While it may be more energy efficient than some of its more traditional counterparts, the complex still remains expensive to run, with annual building-related costs alone being £1.9m.
Around 850,000 people visit the theatre every year, and the theatre generates, said Ms Fawcett.
But the organisation made a £659,000 loss in the last financial year, although this was blamed partly on ongoing issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Only 6.3% of its money comes from public funding – such as from Arts Council England, Salford City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, so contributions from individuals are crucial.
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