Spalding’s South Holland Centre has been more popular than last year, with almost 14,000 tickets sold in the first two quarters of the financial year.
Almost 40,000 tickets were sold in the previous year, with a spike around the sale of pantomime tickets helping to boost the numbers.
“Ticket sale trends and audience feedback is closely monitored and informs future programming choices. Current ticket sales are 13,817, higher than this time in 2024, this is predominantly down to the ‘live’ (non-hire) programme, an increase in community hires and some popular films,” says a report before the Performance Monitoring Panel this week.
“Following the success of the 2024 pantomime season, tickets are already selling positively for the 2025 pantomime ‘Rapunzel’, with sales and reservations currently at 9,202. Further positive pantomime sales are expected,” the report continues.
During 2025 there has been a series of work carried out, including repairing seat covers, removing broken appliances, a deep clean of the function hall kitchen and replacement of the radio mic equipment. Further redecoration is due to be carried out in January.
The report says the venue ‘continues to strengthen’ its partnership with Ayscoughfee Hall Museum to deliver collaborative events following recent success with groups including the Gentlemen’s Society and Sound Lincs.
“In addition we are actively supporting the Spalding Town Board’s consultation work and working alongside key stakeholders, including the Business Improvement District and neighbourhood planning teams to drive town centre development and regeneration.”
According to figures supplied with the report, the full year forecast for 2025/26 had seen the total cost set at £311,365, which is less than the £329,661 price tag of 2024/25. The forecast for 2025/26 was put at £269,865.
“Ticket sales continue to be positive in comparison to previous years, current marketing initiatives look to be successful, however the team continues to look at new ways of focussing resources efficiently,” members of the panel were told at yesterday’s meeting (10).
Looking to the future there are plans to re-launch the location as a wedding venue and the council is working with several suppliers to bring that project to fruition.
Polka Dot Pantomimes are currently presenting Rapunzel at the centre and the run continues until December 30.
