St Ives Corn Exchange 'challenged' but not beaten as energy costs soar
It has plans in place as music and theatre venues raise concerns
An entertainment venue in Cambridgeshire feels attracting a wider range of people is the key to help protect its future amid rising energy bills.
A survey by Uswitch found a quarter of music venues are concerned they may need to shut down because of increasing costs.
St Ives Corn Exchange saw maintenance costs jump by 112 per cent since March last year and has also seen energy use during the summer months rise.
Kate Holley, venue manager, has overseen a refreshed entertainment schedule which came into force in 2021:
“We’re finding more that new customers are coming in each month, which is good and that’s how we’ve tried to combat this is by getting a more varied programme," she said.
“We are looking forward to bringing a more sustainable programme forward and we try to use things in where we maybe reuse the room twice or have two events on at once so we’re using less energy.
“I think it’s about being consistent and having a good programme and if we can make sure we cover lots of demographics and styles of entertainment, I think we can move forward.”
Energy bills have jumped from £1,000 a month to between £2,500 and £3,000 in the space of around 15 months.
Work on St Ives Corn Exchange’s roof is also due to take place, where a fundraiser is being planned.
It is a building, which first opened in 1864, now run by the Corn Exchange Community Interest Company and was formally reopened in 2010 after the site was restored.
Rob Jackson, the venue’s chairman, said the team have a challenge to face:
“We have about 34 regular community hirers that use the facility and that’s what we’re all about as a community hub, but we do bring in events and other extra-curricular activities to help fund that," he said.
“We’ve had to find an extra £20,000 a year since last year just to breakeven.
“We are challenged, but we have plans and a dedicated team in place to make sure we’re able to stay open and stay supporting the community.”