Theatre in Dartford praised despite making heavy financial losses
In the theatre's annual report, discussed at a meeting of the council's overview and scrutiny committee on Tuesday, its director Tal Rosen wrote: "Despite the challenges of relocation, Orchard West has been an extraordinary success."We were proud to receive national recognition, winning Innovation of the Year at The Stage Awards 2025 and Temporary Structure of the Year at the Festival Supplier Awards."The report added that the theatre generated more than £5m for the local economy and welcomed more than 95,000 customers to 173 performances across 2024 and 2025.It also employed 18 permanent staff, and had 65 "casual team members."
But the report also showed Orchard West making a net loss of £755,999 – equivalent to 34% of its revenue - up from £353,423, equivalent to 14% in 2023-2024.Increases in overheads, such as the national minimum wage and other inflationary costs, were among the "financial challenges" blamed. In February Dartford council approved an additional £10m in funding to repair the original Orchard Theatre in Home Gardens, removing Raac and making it safe to use again. It is scheduled to reopen in May 2026.The authority also gave £500,000 to Trafalgar Events, which runs the theatre, to ensure they could continue hosting productions.Speaking at the time, Kite called the decision a "no-brainer" which would still be cheaper than an entire rebuild.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why millions of motorists denied payouts after car finance court ruling
The Supreme Court ruled that car finance lenders are not liable for hidden commission payments to millions of drivers, overturning a previous Court of Appeal decision. This decision significantly reduces the potential compensation payout for lenders from an estimated £45bn to between £5bn and £15bn. The court rejected arguments that the payments were 'bribes' or that car dealers had a 'fiduciary duty' to customers, but upheld one case where the finance relationship was deemed unfair. Despite the ruling, consumers who paid particularly large commissions may still be eligible for compensation under the Consumer Credit Act. The Financial Conduct Authority is expected to announce a redress scheme for cases where the relationship is deemed unfair, with experts advising consumers to await further guidance.
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Lindsay Lohan and Kris Jenner's make-up artist reveals the exact anti-ageing make-up she uses to 'reverse lines and creases' - and it's only £20
They regularly stun on the red carpet with their flawless make-up looks. And now Lindsay Lohan and Kris Jenner 's make-up artist has revealed that the key to their jaw-dropping complexions is an 'industry secret' product. When it comes to covering up tired eyes and lines, many women's go-to is the trusty concealer, however, the perfect Hollywood look is often ruined when the product begins to crease. But Ash K Holm, the beauty expert for stars including Lindsay, Kris and Kris' daughter Khloe Kardashian, has now disclosed a hack for reversing lines and creases - and you can get it at your local high street health and beauty retailer. In a new video, Ash promoted the ROC Revive + Glow Eye Balm, revealing how it's an 'industry secret' that makes it possible to 'fix your creased concealer without redoing your makeup.' Speaking on a clip on her Instagram, Ash remarked: 'All you need to do is apply a small amount right underneath the eye or wherever your concealer is creasing. It doesn't matter what kind of concealer you've used but this is a fix-it stick, is what I like to call it.' And if the miracle make-up product is good enough for the likes of Lindsay, Kris and Khloe, then it's certainly good enough for you! We've found the exact product and some similar alternatives... EXACT MATCH: ROC Revive + Glow Eye Balm £22.10 Shop
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Controversial BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty could face investigation after string of complaints relating to her 'hard' and 'bullying' tone following claims she fostered 'toxic' work atmosphere
Presenter Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show. 'Following the amount of people who have come forward to share their experiences with Naga, the BBC has officially moved to place the complaints under review. 'The review is to ascertain whether a full-on investigation is required and that could come in weeks', the source told The Sun. Daily Mail has approached BBC and Munchetty's representatives for comment. It comes after Munchetty was spoken to by execs after a junior staffer accused the journalist of bullying them. She was also reportedly hauled into a meeting after she made a sex jibe during an ad break while hosting her radio show. She is believed to have used a crude slang term for a sec act and reportedly asled a colleague if they had ever done it. It was also reported last month that Munchetty was planning on quitting BBC Breakfast after she was accused of bullying. Her own conduct was thrown into doubt when BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show. Amid the fallout, Munchetty's agents have reportedly 'held talks with rival station LBC' to explore opportunities for the highly-respected journalist. A source told The Sun: 'The fallout of Richard Frediani's investigation created a stark 'him or her' narrative on Breakfast with Naga flung to the front line. 'The fact is she loves the BBC and her job but there's only so much external noise anyone is prepared to take. LBC would suit her well as the focus remains on news-led broadcasting, they take a hard line and there's far less of the fluffy nonsense involved in working at the BBC. 'Her team last week renewed historic talks with the Global radio station to see if there could be any work for her there.' New figures released by the BBC last month revealed the presenter was awarded a £10,000 increase in her annual salary. It now takes her pay packet to an eye-watering £355,000 - almost double that of her co-host Charlie Stayt. Stayt, 63, has remained in the £190,000 bracket as tensions between the pair are said to be 'rife'. Munchetty hosts BBC Breakfast on Thursdays to Saturdays with Charlie, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent anchor the programme from the start of the week. Today, BBC Breakfast was branded a 'clown show' by fans after a 'car crash' interview left viewers cringing. Munchetty and Stayt presented Friday's instalment of the daytime news show. Crime novelist Lynda La Plante was discussing her latest book release The Scene Of The Crime. Having researched forensics for her novels, Lynda explained animatedly: 'If you have blood spattering, you could get an expert that deals only with that, and they could walk in and see pooling, splattering-' But she was interrupted by Munchetty, who quickly warned her: 'Careful! It's breakfast.' Good-natured Lynda seemed unfazed, and laughed: 'Sorry!' but it wasn't long before Munchetty delivered another blunder, forgetting the name of the hit crime series inspired by Lynda's most famous book. 'In the book, when you have the forensic expert come in who runs the team and has this history, there is a little bit of discomfort in terms of how the team responds,' Naga begins. 'When you were writing for, erm… Oh my goodness, how have I just…' Co-host Charlie then chimes in with the correct name: 'Prime Suspect,' and Naga says, relieved: 'Prime Suspect - thank you.' Still undeterred, Lynda continues with the inspiration behind her book, saying: 'What I loved in The Scene Of The Crime is he's not dead - he's alive! The victim is alive!' But Munchetty scrambles to prevent Lynda from revealing the central surprise, speaking over her to say: 'Don't spoil it! Don't spoil it, don't spoil it because there are, as usual, many twists.' Frantically segueing into another line of enquiry, Munchetty asks awkwardly: 'Do you ever - I avoid, often, crime and murder novels because I get squeamish.' 'But this isn't too much for me. I can only speak for myself. Do you ever think there's a limit? You wouldn't go too far in terms of description and squeamishness?' 'A limit of the horror?' clarified Lynda, before answering: 'I think there is my own limit. 'We can give a name to virtually every reason for a crime, you can say they had a horrible background, an abused child, or psychological problems, but there is no-one that can ever say "This is what made evil". We haven't got it. Charlie then asked Lynda: 'We're almost out of time. Do you think you would have made a good detective yourself?' But Lynda insisted she would be 'dreadful', adding: 'I talk too much and I think I'd get awfully upset.' Fans of the show weren't impressed, and rushed to social media to express their disapproval. One wrote: 'Never, ever let Charlie ad-lib. F***ing disaster every single time.'
