Theatres in Brighton and Hove contribute up to £3 million to the city's economy every year, research suggests.

The city has a dozen theatres, including the Theatre Royal Brighton, Pavilion Theatre, Komedia and numerous smaller venues.

Now a study by academics at the University of Sheffield has concluded they are hugely important to the city's economy.

It calculates audiences spend an average of £7.77 on childcare, transport and food and drink every time they go to a regional theatre.

Nationally, the theatre contributes a minimum of £2.6 billion a year to the economy, dwarfing the £121.3 million it receives in government funding.

Using these statistics, analysts at business support organisation Sussex Enterprise reckon Brighton and Hove's theatres contribute between £2 million and £3 million every year.

A smaller survey by MORI suggests a change in attitude toward theatre from the Government was revitalising the industry and raising the levels of quality on stage.

An extra £25 million awarded to the industry following the National Policy for Theatre in England in 2000 was making a difference, it said.

Three theatres groups in Brighton - the Gardner Arts Centre, Komedia and Made in Brighton - have collectively received £866,382 in the past three years.

The money was distributed through the Arts Council England, South-East which has been working to improve the quality in the city's playhouses.

Sir Christopher Frayling, chairman of Arts Council England, said: "These important pieces of research show us that, with relatively little public subsidy, theatre can contribute an enormous amount to our economy and society.

"In a very short time, the theatre review investment has enriched our cultural landscape and its impact has been immediate.

"There aren't many pieces of research in the arts which show the results of Arts Council intervention quite this clearly."

Sally Abbott, director of performing arts at Arts Council England, South-East, said the study showed theatres were performing well.

She said: "Theatres are making a major contribution to the local economy over and above generating employment and adding to the vibrancy of Brighton's community."

Monday May 17, 2004