Upset among former staff as zero hour contract job advertised internally at Northampton theatre weeks after redundancies
A former employee at a Northampton theatre has been left upset after a zero hours job was internally advertised weeks after redundant staff left.
Royal & Derngate confirmed in March this year that it would make a “small reduction to its permanent staffing structure” for the 2026/2027 financial year, in a move the theatre said was “part of a measured plan” to ensure long-term sustainability, protect the artistic programme and keep ticket prices accessible.
At the start of May this year, the theatre sent out an email to customers to confirm new box office opening times, which was labelled a “travesty for disabled and elderly customers”. The box office is now no longer open before shows and those who wish to book tickets in person can only do so between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays. The phone lines are open from midday to 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Now, a vacancy for a casual sales advisor, with no guaranteed hours, has been advertised.
A former employee says this job advert was published internally just weeks after those who were made redundant worked their last day.
The former colleague, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Clearly customers and paying members must be suffering a reduced quality service with no physical box office for shows and the need to now recruit people to answer the phone.
"It’s a mis-management of the process.”
The theatre says the job role covers “limited hours to support peak times or annual leave where required” and that the organisation retained all zero hour contracts, as agreed in the new structure during the consultation process.
A spokeswoman for the Royal & Derngate said: “We retained all of our zero hour contracts as agreed within the new structure as part of the consultation process to provide limited and ad-hoc support as required.
"We recognise that the recent changes have been difficult for colleagues and we continue to treat all related matters with care, confidentiality and respect.”
This year, the theatre has also been awarded a £538,000 Arts Council grant to refurbish the auditorium, which bosses say will help “deliver a theatre fit for the future”.