Business at a Brighton arts venue is booming with more people visiting than ever before.

About 90,000 people visited Komedia in Gardner Street, Brighton, in the year leading up to April and turnover was more than £1 million.

Mary Connolly, director of development, said: "It is absolutely thrilling. There are so many struggling arts organisations so it is refreshing to hear about one which is thriving."

Monthly audience figures for theatre and cabaret performances up to April were about 7,500.

Ms Connolly said the venue's success was down to offering a popular programme of events.

She said: "Our performances are not exclusive and difficult to get to grips with - they are accessible for everyone. We are getting some phenomenal audiences.

On average, Komedia has attracted an audience of 70 per cent capacity at their 207-seat theatre and 230-seat cabaret bar during the past year.

There was no tail-off in January when takings at similar venues traditionally fall.

Ms Connolly said: "We haven't seen a slump at all. Instead things are just carrying on and if anything are getting better."

Recent events have ranged from performances by international theatre companies to local mime artists. More staff have been taken on to keep up with demand. Komedia now employs 18 full-time and 35 part-time workers and have 39 volunteers on its books.

The Arts Council of England has recognised the importance of the organisation, now the third largest operator at the Edinburgh Festival, by awarding a £145,000 grant to develop more productions.

Komedia has quickly established itself as an important part of Brighton and Hove since it opened in Manchester Street during the 1994 Brighton Festival. It moved to its present Gardner Street base two years ago.

Plans have been drawn up to develop land at the back of the building to increase the size of the cabaret and theatre bar. The work is part of the development of the Jubilee library site.