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BLACKBURN EMPIRE THEATRE LTD

Registered charity 508435 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as BLACKBURN THEATRE TRUST LIMITED, THWAITES EMPIRE THEATRE TRUST LIMITED, THWAITES THEATRE

The charity is a local theatre providing cultural entertainment and education to the people of Blackburn and its surrounding areas.

Causes: Arts/culture/heritage/science · Recreation · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£706k
Latest spending
£565k
Registered
1979
Accounts read
FY2024

Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts

The charity reported a net resource decrease of £45,491 for the year, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £385,866. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting 1 to 3 months of expenditure, calculated against a baseline of approximately £49,000. The accounts state that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

Automated summary of the FY2024 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Related-party transaction: Expenses incurred with Pennine Fire and Safety Limited, a company in which Mr J Jackson, a trustee, is a director.
“During the accounting period expenses totalling £1,525 (2023: £1,188) were incurred with Pennine Fire and Safety Limited, a company in which Mr J Jackson, a trustee, is a director.” — page 21
“During the accounting period expenses totalling £2,164 (2023: £4,061).were incurred with Unified World Communications Limited, a company in which Mr H A Jones, a trustee, is a director.” — page 21
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Expenses incurred with Unified World Communications Limited, a company in which Mr H A Jones, a trustee, is a director.
“During the accounting period expenses totalling £1,525 (2023: £1,188) were incurred with Pennine Fire and Safety Limited, a company in which Mr J Jackson, a trustee, is a director.” — page 21
“During the accounting period expenses totalling £2,164 (2023: £4,061).were incurred with Unified World Communications Limited, a company in which Mr H A Jones, a trustee, is a director.” — page 21
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)

Total income
£706k
Total spending
£565k
Reserves (reported)
£528k
Employees
4

Reported reserves equal ~11.2 months of spending — above the median for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

Per its annual return, largest income source: Charitable activities (98% of income) — components as reported reconcile to the return’s total income; not from the accounts narrative.

Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 0.0% of total income — below the median for charities its size (4.9%) (benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Blackburn With Darwen

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/12/2025£706k£565k
31/12/2024£546k£589k
31/12/2023£462k£405k
31/12/2022£388k£309k
31/12/2021£255k£288k

Common questions

Is BLACKBURN EMPIRE THEATRE LTD financially healthy?

Per its FY2024 accounts: The charity reported a net resource decrease of £45,491 for the year, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £385,866. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting 1 to 3 months of expenditure, calculated against a baseline of approximately £49,000. The accounts state that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.

Who funds BLACKBURN EMPIRE THEATRE LTD?

Funders whose own accounts filings name BLACKBURN EMPIRE THEATRE LTD as a grant recipient include THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND.

Known funders

Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.

FunderYearAmountPurpose (as stated by the funder)
THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUNDFY2022£4k

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

FunderDateAmountPurpose
The National Lottery Heritage Fund18/12/2008£47k"2010 - One Hundred Years of The Empire Theatre at Ewood, Blackburn"
The National Lottery Community Fund19/01/2006£4kPurchase of new equipment
The National Lottery Community Fund22/09/2004£5kWorkshops