Horsecross Arts in talks over axing up to 120 jobs

Theatre group says ‘painful’ decision due to uncertainty over future of live shows

Horsecross Arts has opened redundancy talks that could result in up to 120 job losses as the organisation deals with the fallout from Covid-19.

The group, which runs Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall, has called the move a “painful last resort” to help secure the long-term future of the organisation and safeguard as many jobs as possible.

The charity began the redundancy consultation process yesterday, with around 70 part-time and 50 full-time members of staff at all levels of the organisation potentially affected.

Horsecross says the decision is due to the continued uncertainty surrounding live performances and plans to wind down the furlough scheme between August and October.

Earlier this month, Pitlochry Theatre announced it had also been forced to make half of its staff redundant.

Steven Stewart, interim board chairman, said: “This is a painful last resort and a decision we were forced to take after all other options were exhausted.

“Even with the government support and some public funding, we rely on ticket sales, our conference business, and our cafés and bars to meet our monthly outgoings.

“We’ve done everything possible to cut costs and protect our staff, including freezing non-essential expenditure, deferring payments where possible, and ensuring our people are covered by the government’s Job Retention Scheme.

“With no clear picture as to when and how our venues will be able to open again, the board had no alternative but to take these steps now.”

Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall have been closed since March, with hundreds of events cancelled, resulting in a 70% drop in revenue for the organisation, which currently has 168 staff on furlough.

Perth and Kinross Council said it remains committed to investing in arts and culture despite the current climate.

Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre will remain closed until at least September.

Picture: Kim Cessford. Perth Concert Hall is among the venues run by the charity Horsecross Arts.