Horsecross Arts’ new boss has unveiled his plan to turn around the Perth charity’s fortunes.
Nick Williams was appointed chief executive of the organisation which manages Perth Theatre and Concert Hall in December — shortly before the publication of a highly critical audit report.
The review was followed by mass resignations from the board. However, the Swansea-born director has used the clean slate as a fresh start and has now unveiled his proposal to make the body more financially secure and draw in more customers.
Speaking to head funders at Perth and Kinross Council bosses at Wednesday’s scrutiny committee meeting, Mr Williams outlined a string of changes such as scrapping zero hours contracts in the firm’s catering department, selling off items gathering dust in storage and searching for contracts to build sets for other productions.
Significant changes to the venues’ programmes are also expected, although Mr Williams has said it may take some time for productions to appear on stage due to the nature of advance bookings.
Horsecross Arts will also shake-up its annual marketing schedule, from three brochures which cover four months at a time to a pair of six-month magazines.
Council officers have been holding monthly budget monitoring meetings with the directors who have said they are still there to help with an “orderly transition”.
Mr Williams said: “We’ve taken a look at the structure of the organisation and it’s fair to say some things have been done for certain reasons that don’t make sense anymore. We’re changing that to take greater ownership of our budgets.
“We’re looking at catering contracts where a lot of people have zero hours contracts and small contracts. We’re planning to have them annualised which helps staff and helps us.”
Politicians slammed the previous board over ticket sales. However, following a busy festive period, which saw more than 30,000 people enjoy shows at Horsecross venues, Mr Williams said the firm had been reviewing its programme.
Bookers have been carrying out market research, asking people what acts they should bring to the Fair City.
Mr Williams said he also wanted to explore using Horsecross’s stellar reputation for set building by taking on contracts from other arts bodies. Plans are in place for two or three sets for the National Theatre of Scotland at this summer’s Edinburgh International Festival.
The organisation also plans to sell some unused stock to specialist buyers, as a means of generating income and freeing up space at their Inveralmond store.
Mr Williams said conferences would also remain a priority.
“We are still pushing conferences and are ahead of the position we were in last year,” he added.
“We also have five multi-day conferences booked for the likes of political parties and trade unions.”
