Redundancy consultations at Northampton's Royal & Derngate end as provision due to be 'adapted' to ensure 'long-term sustainability'
Redundancy consultation at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate have now finished, as the the theatre says its provision will be “adapted to ensure long-term sustainability”.
In March, bosses at the theatre announced there would be a “small reduction to its permanent staffing structure” for the 2026/2027 financial year, due to a number of factors, including rising costs.
Now, the theatre has confirmed the consultation period has concluded, stating that a “limited number of areas across the organisation” will be affected. The organisation would not, however, confirm in which departments the redundancies have been made.
According to a source, those who have been made redundant are currently working their notice period. It is understood 19 people were due to be made redundant, but the theatre did not confirm this. The source also claims that redundancies have been made in a number of departments including front of house, creative and box office, with claims that both the in-person box office and phone lines will soon be operating on reduced hours, which has been labelled a “travesty for disabled and elderly customers”. All of these claims were put to the theatre by Chronicle & Echo. The below statement was issued in response.
A spokeswoman for the theatre said: “Royal & Derngate has made a small reduction to its permanent staffing structure following a consultation period which has now concluded. The outcome affects a limited number of areas across the organisation as it continues to take the steps needed to ensure long-term sustainability.
"The majority of our customers now prefer to book online and we are adapting our provision in line with booking patterns but tickets will remain available to purchase in person and on the phone for all events at Royal & Derngate, including ahead of performances.”
The spokeswoman previously said: "Like many cultural organisations, we are operating in a challenging funding environment. The continued impact of the seven-week closure for RAAC mitigation works, alongside rising production and building costs driven by inflation, has required us to review our cost base carefully.
"These changes are part of a measured plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisation and to protect our artistic programme while keeping ticket prices accessible for our audiences.”