A report due to be discussed by Stafford Borough Council on the 7th December will ask the cabinet to
A) Move the production to the Gatehouse for a second year running
B) delegate responsibility for the productions venue to an unelected appointed ‘Head of Welfare’
This is a breaking news story with further news to be published as soon as possible
Despite freedom leisure achieving government support to help with the costs of maintaining swimming pool temperatures – a key discussion point in why the contract was not sustainable with the risk of Stafford Shakespeare being open air, it’s argued the pressures of finances remain and that the cosy pressures compared to this year are ‘unchanged’.
The report details that this year’s capacity was 46%, very much lower than the average theatre attendance of 70%, which was an average surpassed at the last production at Stafford Castle, achieving 71%. The report argues that was inflated due to moving tickets over the the pandemic, a commentary disputed due to those ticket buyers being returning visitors to Stafford Shakespeare and so would have returned with or without their tickets being moved.
It’s important to mention that the capacity at Stafford Castle is also much higher based on number tickets available.
1/5 of customers contacted to share their thoughts in the production mentioned the production was good quality. However, 26% mentioned they preferred Shakespeare at the Castle. The report mentions that social media feedback was good.
The report also mentions the Gatehouse was able to generate income from secondary sales such as bar revenue.
The report will be considered by the cabinet on the 7th December.
The Theatre Twittic 
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