Wine price set to rise

PRICES for wine are set to increase at Ipswich's Regent Theatre as part of a raft of measures aimed at increasing income.

Town chiefs are set to discuss a series of ideas to generate more cash at the venue in a bid to reduce the annual subsidy the council has to fork out to keep it open.

Despite a dramatic turnaround in fortunes over the past three years - 77,000 more people attended the venue in that time and income increased by more than £1.7million - the theatre still makes a loss.

Ipswich Council is now seeking to “reorganise” staffing at the theatre to reduce expensive overtime as well as increasing income in a variety of ways.

A report which will go before the Borough's executive committee next Tuesday stresses the need review staffing levels, enhance catering facilities, reduce the “summer shut down” period and increase the price of wine.

Under the proposals new roles will be created at the theatre, meaning an increase in the amount of money paid out in wages but a huge drop in costly overtime payments.

An increase in the price of wine combined with a wider choice of drinks will generate an additional £12,000 a year while halving the summer shut down period to four weeks will allow the possibility of making an extra £80,000.

Judy Terry, responsible for leisure at Ipswich Borough Council, said The Regent still costs around £400,000 a year to run although this figure is down from around £1million three years ago.

She said increases in the cost of wine would be in line with inflation while changes to staffing level will see more staff employed but less paid out in overtime.

“The executive recognises the enormous improvements made at the theatre and that is why we are looking at staff restructuring to reflect the increased number of performances.

“We want to move to a more formal working relationship where people know what hours they will be working.”