I WAS interested to read (“Annie at Halls as first group plans to return” September 1) that Farnworth Performing Arts have agreed rental costs with the Albert Halls for their 2018 production.

In the story, Bolton Council is quoted as having stated that the cost of rental has increased from £600 to £750 after the period of refurbishment. What isn’t stated is the additional costs per performance that have been given, in writing, to Bolton Symphony Orchestra (BSO). These are that there is, per performance, a setup/take down/rehearsal charge of £500, which totals £1,250 per hire plus VAT £250, making a total of £1,500. There is an additional charge if the piano is required (not unusual for musical productions) for moving the piano onto the stage. From experience before the refurbishment, this is likely to be at least £500.

BSO did not, as stated in the article, cancel its provisional bookings for 2018 “fearing it would be charged in the region of £1,500”, but because we had actually been given the confirmed figures in writing just a short time ago after a three year wait during which no information at all was forthcoming from the Council in spite of repeated requests; a silence which made planning impossible for local groups’ future events, and put the future of some of them in jeopardy.

Farnworth Performing Arts is stated as the “first” local non-professional group to make a booking, but I fear that most groups – and there are many in Bolton in our long and proud tradition of active local amateur drama, music and arts societies – have simply been priced out of the market by these increased charges and extras.

It would be useful if Bolton Council were to make public their new rates, giving full details of hire costs and all extras, and if there are different rates for professional, commercial entertainment organisations and local not-for-profit, cultural groups; many of them, like BSO, registered charities.

I wish Farnworth Performing Arts every success in their production, and hope that they do not find any difficulties in meeting the new tariff of the Albert Halls in the years to come. Sadly, many local societies will not be able to afford to hire the Albert Halls any longer; truly a sad state of affairs for a public hall, publicly funded, and the only venue remaining in our town which is suitable in size and facilities for many local community groups.

Robert Aston

Horwich