ALNWICK DISTRICT PLAYHOUSE TRUST
Registered charity 1020404 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register
The charity's objects and its principal activity continues to be that of the promotion of all aspects of artistic activities throughout the district of Alnwick. This is achieved through a broad programme of theatre, dance, music, film and exhibitions at the Playhouse itself, and an outreach programme that seeks to reach all corners of the rural community.
Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net movement in funds of £417,675 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total unrestricted funds reaching £2,568,319. However, the trustees note that the charity continues to make small losses on its general fund and remains dependent on grants and premises cost agreements for financial survival. Free reserves stood at £188,000, which is above the stated policy target of £155,000.
Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: three months of overhead costs (£155,000) (held: £188k)
“The Trustees consider it would be appropriate to hold the equivalent of 3 months’ overhead costs, which would equate to £155K in free reserves.” — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor
“Current forecasts indicate that, despite encouraging growth in commercial income and margins, we will continue to make small losses on the general fund, making us dependant on grants and agreement with Northumberland County Council (NCC) on premises costs for financial survival in the future.” — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Membership fees received from Trustees or close family members.
“During the year, Alnwick District Playhouse Trust received membership fees of £267 (2024 - £520) from seven (2024 - three) Trustees or their close family members on a normal commercial basis.” — page 56
“During the year the Charity paid £3,968 (2024 - £150) for actors' accommodation to a business operated by the wife of one of the Trustees.” — page 56
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Payment for actors' accommodation to a business operated by the wife of a Trustee.
“During the year, Alnwick District Playhouse Trust received membership fees of £267 (2024 - £520) from seven (2024 - three) Trustees or their close family members on a normal commercial basis.” — page 56
“During the year the Charity paid £3,968 (2024 - £150) for actors' accommodation to a business operated by the wife of one of the Trustees.” — page 56
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Unconditional donations received from Trustees or close family members.
“During the year, Alnwick District Playhouse Trust received membership fees of £267 (2024 - £520) from seven (2024 - three) Trustees or their close family members on a normal commercial basis.” — page 56
“During the year the Charity paid £3,968 (2024 - £150) for actors' accommodation to a business operated by the wife of one of the Trustees.” — page 56
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Alnwick Playhouse Trading Limited
“The charity owns 100% of the issued share capital of Alnwick Playhouse Trading Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 16036980).” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Accounts audited by Kinnair Associates Limited. Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.
Year-over-year changes
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "below" (FY2024) to "above" (FY2025).
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2024) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2025).
Comparing this charity’s FY2024 and FY2025 accounts as analysed by this site.
Property (HM Land Registry)
3 registered titles in England and Wales held by the charity’s company or corporate body (1 freehold); recorded price paid £235k. All charity-held property. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Cost of raising funds
£222k
Reported reserves equal ~21.6 months of spending — in the top quarter for charities its size (median 4.8 months; benchmarks).
Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 12.1% of total income — above the median for charities its size (5.2%) (benchmarks).
- Christopher Sayerschair
- Barry Horsburgh
- Fiona McCusker · trustee of 1 other charity
- Gordon Castle Mr · trustee of 1 other charity
- Jane Embley
- Lilian Lydia Hetherington
- MARTIN ALLENBY
- NORMAN LUKE
- Philip Mark Stuckey
- Roger Styring · trustee of 4 other charities
Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).
Operates in: Northumberland
Income and spending
Common questions
Is ALNWICK DISTRICT PLAYHOUSE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net movement in funds of £417,675 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total unrestricted funds reaching £2,568,319. However, the trustees note that the charity continues to make small losses on its general fund and remains dependent on grants and premises cost agreements for financial survival. Free reserves stood at £188,000, which is above the stated policy target of £155,000. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Kinnair Associates Limited.
Who funds ALNWICK DISTRICT PLAYHOUSE TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ALNWICK DISTRICT PLAYHOUSE TRUST as a grant recipient include THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND.
Known funders
Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.
Government & lottery funding
Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).
Funders of similar charities
Funders whose accounts show grants to charities similar to this one (and no recorded grant to this charity) — a starting list for fundraisers.
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Side by side with its peers
Each row is that charity’s latest analysed filing; every value is quote-backed on its own page.