2011 Another Record Year for SMG Newcastle
SMG (Newcastle) owners of the Metro Radio Arena and operators of the Tyne Theatre and Playhouse Whitley Bay are delighted to announce yet another record year for the Arena.
2011 has seen a 6% increase in profits and a 10th consecutive year of improving results. These profits have been achieved despite the continuing poor economic climate and inflation now topping 5%. Pollstar, the industry publication, this year placed us 7th in the world, ranked by paid attendance figures for the first quarter.
‘Reasons for this constant improvement are various’ states Colin Revel, Executive Director of the Arena, ‘but the most important reason is the continuing support and appetite of largely the North East public to attend our events.’
Despite the regular depressing economic news, the public want to see live events and be entertained, and will support a quality product. Family budgets are however strained, but the quality of this year’s Disney on Ice shows attracted 10,000 more patrons than expected over the 11 show run.
Comedy is proving to be a continuing success story, significantly contributing to the record 60 concert shows this year; with 3 John Bishop shows, 4 Michael McIntyre and 5 of Mrs Brown it will continue to provide a good proportion of those in 2012. We are particularly pleased that Mrs Brown is receiving the acclaim it deserves as SMG showcased this phenomenon several times at the Tyne Theatre.
Our general success has meant that permanent employment has been maintained for our staff, and with near 200 part time / casual people working on the larger concerts it continues to contribute to the North East economy.
The Arena also helps more significantly than first thought in attracting people into the Area from Berwick down to Middlesbrough, with many making weekend, mutli day or full day visits to Tyneside when seeing a show. This can range from 10% up to 20% of the audience on occasions, depending on the show.
Both the Tyne Theatre and Playhouse Whitley Bay also performed beyond financial expectations, and 2012 promises to be another very good year.
The Tyne Theatre has already sold out 10 Sarah Millican shows, proving yet again that quality always prevails.
Success breeds success, and with all 3 SMG venues performing well, Promoters will have the confidence to continue to bring the very best shows to the North East.
Published on Monday 19 December 2011
