BARNARD Castle’s arts centre will always have to rely on grants to cover its costs, the complex’s treasurer told trustees, volunteers and supporters last week.
Ivor Stolliday, who joined The Witham’s board in January, said the venue would never be able to generate enough cash from ticket sales, cafe revenue and other activities to pay for itself.
At the annual general meeting of The Witham Hall Ltd, which covered the year to January 31, 2018, Mr Stolliday said the centre was “always going to have a mixed economy” of grants and income generated from within the complex.
“That twin track is the only model for a small arts centre in a rural area,” he said.
The meeting was told how 2018 had been the most tumultuous 12 months in The Witham's history as an arts centre.
However, despite relying on a public appeal to raise funds to keep trading, the complex had ended the year with a surplus of £113,019 compared to a deficit of £53,191 in 2017.
That was thanks in the main to almost £42,000 raised by the £30k in 30 Days public appeal and a £60,000 hand-out from Durham County Council.
Mr Stolliday said a “big shift in emphasis” had improved The Witham's trading position. Total income for 2018 was £520,182 compared to £383,094 in 2017, while expenditure had been cut by almost £30,000.
Much of this was due to savings made during the seven months a volunteer interim manager had taken charge.
The board of trustees has also set up a reserve fund of £48,660, which would ensure the centre’s operation for at least three months in the event of financial meltdown.
Shelagh Avery was re-elected chairwoman of trustees at the meeting and thanked all those involved for their tireless efforts to ensure the continued trading of The Witham.
She said although the public appeal had concluded, it was still vital that supporters continued to invest in The Witham.
“We have a much better platform. We need to build on that platform and continue to work tirelessly to ensure The Witham continues to be a wonderful resource for Barnard Castle, Teesdale and those who come from beyond.”
The meeting was told that during 2018, more than 100 performances were staged and in excess of 6,000 tickets sold.
Ms Avery said the £30k in 30 Days appeal had also started a dialogue between trustees and the wider public as to what sort of shows and activities should be staged.
“We wanted to remove the label that The Witham was a bolthole for the elite,” added Ms Avery.
“Hopefully this programme (autumn 2018) started that as we moved into 2019.”
The meeting was told the revamped Friends of The Witham organisation now had more than 100 members.
A further 350 people had signed up to the centre’s new film club.
“We need to sell more tickets, more cups of coffee and we want more people to eat lunch in the cafe,” added Ms Avery.
“We need to trade our way to success. Getting more people into the building is really important.
“We know there are still people who think The Witham is not for them.
“We can't do everything that everyone would like, but our promise is that we will consider every suggestion that you have to help us work on the challenges we face,” she said.
