Latest news with #SirJohnWhittingdale
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Bill on Royal Albert Hall seatholders' ticket reforms backed by MPs
A Bill that will change the rights of long-time seat owners at the Royal Albert Hall has cleared its first Commons hurdle. Conservative former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale, who spoke in support of the Bill, said the hall's 'unique' funding model, which included the sale of debentured seats to fund its 19th century construction, was an asset to the institution. Roughly a quarter of the Albert Hall's seats fall into a category of being owned by long-time members. The 316 owners pay an annual seat rate, which this year was £1,880 plus VAT. It brings in about £2.3 million for the venue every year, Sir John said. He said the current arrangements meant on about 100 designated events each year, known as 'executive lettings', the owners give up their 1,268 seats for the venue to sell. They can also forgo their seats on other, non-specified occasions, boosting the venue and its charitable arm's coffers. However, there has been concern that the seat owners can personally sell tickets for their seats for other lucrative events on the resale markets for thousands of pounds. The Bill will amend the Royal Albert Hall's constitution to codify the practice of members forgoing their right to attend events. It will protect the hall from legal challenge over the voting process from seatholders over which concerts will be selected. Sir John, a former trustee of the venue, said: 'A seat in the hall is a property asset, and in the same way that if one's grandfather purchases a property which their descendants then eventually decide to sell, it is highly likely they will retrieve an amount of money way greater than the original investment. 'These are property assets, essentially, without which the hall could not have been built. But it was on that understanding, it was on an 999-year lease, and those who own that lease are, of course, entitled to do what they wish with it.' Labour MP Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Gateshead South) cited tickets for an Ed Sheeran concert which had been sold online for nearly £6,000. Ms Hodgson said: 'I was therefore horrified when tickets for events at the Royal Albert Hall, one of our country's most recognisable and cherished institutions, started appearing on sites such as Viagogo.' She said a 10-seat box was advertised for sale online recently for £3 million. The change needs to be approved in Parliament, because it will amend the Royal Albert Hall Act 1966. The Harold Wilson-era reforms put into law rules around the repair and maintenance of the venue – as well as rights of seatholders. The proposed legislation, which started in the House of Lords, was passed unanimously in the Commons at second reading. It will now return to be debated by peers.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill on Royal Albert Hall seatholders' ticket reforms backed by MPs
A Bill that will change the rights of long-time seat owners at the Royal Albert Hall has cleared its first Commons hurdle. Conservative former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale, who spoke in support of the Bill, said the hall's 'unique' funding model, which included the sale of debentured seats to fund its 19th century construction, was an asset to the institution. Roughly a quarter of the Albert Hall's seats fall into a category of being owned by long-time members. The 316 owners pay an annual seat rate, which this year was £1,880 plus VAT. It brings in about £2.3 million for the venue every year, Sir John said. He said the current arrangements meant on about 100 designated events each year, known as 'executive lettings', the owners give up their 1,268 seats for the venue to sell. They can also forgo their seats on other, non-specified occasions, boosting the venue and its charitable arm's coffers. However, there has been concern that the seat owners can personally sell tickets for their seats for other lucrative events on the resale markets for thousands of pounds. The Bill will amend the Royal Albert Hall's constitution to codify the practice of members forgoing their right to attend events. It will protect the hall from legal challenge over the voting process from seatholders over which concerts will be selected. Sir John, a former trustee of the venue, said: 'A seat in the hall is a property asset, and in the same way that if one's grandfather purchases a property which their descendants then eventually decide to sell, it is highly likely they will retrieve an amount of money way greater than the original investment. 'These are property assets, essentially, without which the hall could not have been built. But it was on that understanding, it was on an 999-year lease, and those who own that lease are, of course, entitled to do what they wish with it.' Labour MP Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Gateshead South) cited tickets for an Ed Sheeran concert which had been sold online for nearly £6,000. Ms Hodgson said: 'I was therefore horrified when tickets for events at the Royal Albert Hall, one of our country's most recognisable and cherished institutions, started appearing on sites such as Viagogo.' She said a 10-seat box was advertised for sale online recently for £3 million. The change needs to be approved in Parliament, because it will amend the Royal Albert Hall Act 1966. The Harold Wilson-era reforms put into law rules around the repair and maintenance of the venue – as well as rights of seatholders. The proposed legislation, which started in the House of Lords, was passed unanimously in the Commons at second reading. It will now return to be debated by peers.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Maldon MP criticises Blackwater Leisure Centre plans
Users of a popular leisure centre would be "badly affected" by plans to revamp it, an MP sports hall at Blackwater Leisure Centre in Maldon, Essex, is due to be replaced by a new climbing wall and gym on 18 John Whittingdale, the town's Conservative MP, said people had been left baffled by the Maldon District Council leader Richard Siddall said the centre would be made "fit for purpose" for the next 20 years thanks to the work. Basketball, badminton and five-a-side football clubs have all been frequent users of the sports have told the BBC about not being consulted on the decision, which was made in November, until May. "I've received a lot of letters from constituents who are going to be badly affected by this decision," Sir John said."People don't quite understand why the decision was taken in the first place."Clubs have been looking to find alternative bases before the August deadline with mixed basketball team Highrollers found a venue 12 miles away (20km) in Burnham-on-Crouch, but the future of the centre's badminton club was John added: "The sports hall is much-valued and there is no alternative as yet that has been found."He called on the council to prioritise its residents over becoming a "profit-making enterprise".The project, which will also lead to work on the centre's swimming pool, is being led by contractor Places Leisure. Council leader Siddall, of the Maldon District Independent Group, said the work was crucial to future-proofing the claimed the leisure centre would not survive without the plan being implemented."We're really working hard over these months to make sure we find places for those that might be displaced temporarily," he studio space would be created under the proposal, he said, and the new gym would be accessible for people with disabilities."A lot of martial arts groups are very excited about the new studios and the facilities we're going to be providing," Siddall added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
