From Wed 12 July there will be a £2 transaction fee for booking tickets online. Rising costs are affecting everyone, and the theatre is no different. To help safeguard the future of the theatre, the charity needs to take steps to cover ever rising costs.
A small fee of £2 per online transaction will cover the cost of our booking system. As a courtesy, the online transaction fee is waived for Lawrence Batley Theatre members, who pledge £30 a year to support us.
We are a charity who engage over 3,000 people from across Kirklees in creative sessions that nurture confidence and pride in the community. We provide opportunities for young people, and show them pathways into creative careers, giving them local and national ambition. We are committed to levelling out the opportunities for people in our area, especially those who are most in need. We regularly run classes and activities to provide a much-needed break from reality for refugees and asylum seekers.
In most cases, 80% of the ticket money for our shows and events goes to the visiting company who are touring the show. What is left for the theatre at the end of the day, together with our funding which has been at standstill for many years, is beginning to fail to meet the costs. To get ahead of financial issues, we are working to cover costs by other means.
We understand everyone is facing rising costs right now and we want to offer our customers a way to avoid the transaction fee. Visit us in person or call our box office team to book your tickets without a transaction fee. When booking online, you can book for as many shows as you like in one go and only pay the transaction fee once.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is a transaction fee being brought in now?
Our funding has been at standstill for many years now, but costs continue to rise. We need to cover ever rising costs to safeguard the theatre.
What is a transaction fee specifically?
The transaction fee will cover costs incurred from our booking system. We pay a monthly fee for the system based on how many transactions are completed online, via phone or at box office. Last year if we charged an online transaction fee of £2 for each customer last year, we would just cover this fee.
Why does it only apply to online transactions?
We want to give our customers a way to avoid the transaction fee. Visit us in person or call our box office team to book your tickets without a transaction fee.
Do other places charge a transaction fee?
Very few places do not charge a transaction fee or booking fee.
Why not just put up your ticket prices?
We want to stay affordable to our community. In most cases, 80% of the ticket money goes straight back out to the visiting company who are touring the show to other venues. And so, any changes to the ticket price won’t go straight to the theatre.
What’s the difference between a transaction fee and a donation to the theatre?
Donations help towards the cost of our charitable work, the transaction fee is to cover the cost of the booking system.
Is this fee applied per ticket, or per transaction?
The fee of £2 is applied per transaction, you can buy as many tickets as you would like in one go and pay the transaction fee just once.
Is there a way to buy online and avoid paying the transaction fee?
Yes, the transaction fee is waived for Lawrence Batley Theatre members. Anyone can become a member for just £30 a year.