Lighthouse Poole, one of the UK’s biggest multi-venue regional arts centres, is reporting a record year as ticket sales hit a ten-year high with more people seeing shows than at any time since the pandemic.
In the year 2024-25, Lighthouse sold 201,800 tickets to a varied programme of 1,113 performances and screenings – an increase of 11% on the 181,373 sold in 2023-24 and up from 180,751 in 2015-16.
Attendance at the arts centre’s cinema has also seen a dramatic increase year-on-year, with 37% more tickets sold for the relaunched film programme.
“Our eclectic and diverse programme is designed to offer something for everyone, spanning a wide range of artistic genres and appealing to all ages and interests,” says Lighthouse Chief Executive, Elspeth McBain.
“We know many in our community are feeling the pressure of the current economic climate, and that spending on non-essential items can be difficult. That’s why it is especially heartening to see such strong support for Lighthouse. It’s clear that our community truly values the chance to experience live performances and events, and we are deeply grateful for their continued commitment.”
Some of the most popular shows of the year to April included the return of rock icon Paul Weller, the Olivier winning West End hit Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), Edinburgh Fringe smash …Earnest?, the Theatre Royal Bath adaptation of 1984, the collaboration between kora maestro Seckou Keita and the BSO, African Rhapsodies, and, of course, the hit family pantomime Sleeping Beauty, made especially at Lighthouse for Poole audiences.
Lighthouse is also attracting new bookers, with more than 20,000 people visiting the venue for the first time in the last year.
As well as more people coming to see shows, the venue has also seen its creative work with artists and the local community increase in the last year, delivering more than 19,000 creative workshop engagements with the local community, including 13,515 with young people up to the age of 19 years.
Lighthouse has increased its support of local artists, principally through its Sanctuary artist development residency, working with 26% more artists than the previous year, 86% of whom are from Dorset. The aim is to provide a place where artists have the space to create work for future touring and development. Artists who have benefited include Diverse City, The Shouting Mute, OffPiste Theatre, Angel Exit and Dorsetborn.
The figures are contained in Lighthouse’s Annual Impact Report for 2024/25 released today and available as part of printed copies from the Ticket Office at Lighthouse, or online here: https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/who-we-are/impact-report/
(NC)