Restoration Levy at Theatre

smartgolly

My son booked up 6 tickets at their box office for a show at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and was charged an extra £1 for each ticket for a restoration levy.

The item below was in their entertainment programme right at the back of the book

Restoration Levy
A Restoration Levy of £1 will be added to the price of each ticket that we sell. The money will go directly to the on-going programme of essential maintenance at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. The Levy applies to all full-price tickets, concession tickets and online ticket sales for every show on the main stage and in the Mill Studio.

Is this legal. Or is it just another way to get money out over the audience

richardw

Aren't these things always optional?

turtle2k1

Of course it is legal. They can charge you what they want. You have the choice whether to buy a ticket or not.

martindow

I think Richmond Theatre has a similar charge.

Sam_Bee

I imagine they have to separate the cost to gain some kind of tax benefit (i.e. don't pay VAT on that portion or something similar).

Or it might just be their way of highlighting that an important community asset and valuable educational establishment requires funding to maintain it's very existence, at a time when many small (and large) theatres are closing down.

I'm quite sure if you're indignant enough you would get a full refund of £1 per person by writing to the Theatre's director explaining that you don't support their restoration plans, and would prefer closure and the place to fall down.

Or alternatively, if the charge is dubious, I recommend you find a 'no win no fee' lawyer and take them to the cleaners. I'm sure that not only could you reclaim this scandalous charge for your son and friends, but also for everyone else who has ever paid it unjustly, and i'm sure you could also claim your legal fees, and probably compensation for the 'mental anguish' this charge has caused you. With some due diligence, and a decent lawyer, I reckon you could have the place closed down before your sons performance.

I was recently asked to put a stamp on a freepost envelope for the NSPCC, which I reckon could be your next Cause Celebre. And I know someone who thought Mother Theresa looked at him funny once.

Theatres & charities, no better than banks with their illicit profiteering charges, the lot of em.

dmg24

Sam_Bee wrote: »

I imagine they have to separate the cost to gain some kind of tax benefit (i.e. don't pay VAT on that portion or something similar).

Or it might just be their way of highlighting that an important community asset and valuable educational establishment requires funding to maintain it's very existence, at a time when many small (and large) theatres are closing down.

I'm quite sure if you're indignant enough you would get a full refund of £1 per person by writing to the Theatre's director explaining that you don't support their restoration plans, and would prefer closure and the place to fall down.

Or alternatively, if the charge is dubious, I recommend you find a 'no win no fee' lawyer and take them to the cleaners. I'm sure that not only could you reclaim this scandalous charge for your son and friends, but also for everyone else who has ever paid it unjustly, and i'm sure you could also claim your legal fees, and probably compensation for the 'mental anguish' this charge has caused you. With some due diligence, and a decent lawyer, I reckon you could have the place closed down before your sons performance.

I was recently asked to put a stamp on a freepost envelope for the NSPCC, which I reckon could be your next Cause Celebre. And I know someone who thought Mother Theresa looked at him funny once.

Theatres & charities, no better than banks with their illicit profiteering charges, the lot of em.

Ouch!

Harsh ... but oh so true!