THE new business development officer for a Burnham-on-Sea theatre said she has introduced a raft of changes in a bid to improve the venue but ‘a lot of work’ still needs to be done to plug the theatre’s £437,401 deficit.

On Monday (October 21) Beccy Armoury, business development officer (BDO) for The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre, gave a report to Burnham and Highbridge Town Council’s Princess Management Committee about changes she has made to bring the theatre up to industry standards.

These include a new electronic ticket system, regular newsletters and a new website.

Speaking at the meeting, Beccy said: “The Princess has achieved a lot in the first month but there is a lot to do.

“I have inherited a mass of inefficient processes and a lack of policy and procedure and I intend to raise the theatre’s profile and bring in investment.

“I have sorted out the contracts The Princess has as they were not fit for purpose and did not protect the theatre.

“They have changed dramatically and offer greater protection for The Princess in terms of cancellation and these are already being rolled out with a new deal.

“We have also introduced an e-ticket system, which has been successful, with 60 per cent of tickets now being e-tickets. This is already driving down printing costs and traffic at tills on event nights.”

Beccy said The Friends of The Princess has also been changed from an unregistered organisation to a foundation charitable incorporated organisation, which will make it a ‘better vehicle’ for fundraising to improve the theatre’s artistic programme.

She said she has been working to increase the theatre’s social media presence but investment is needed to improve the theatre’s ‘clunky and inefficient’ website as it is ‘not good for business’.

At the meeting, councillors unanimously voted to approve a recommendation to full council to take £4,000 from earmarked reserves to fund a new website and said it is ‘long overdue.’

Cllr Peter Clayton said: “I think this is important to get the new website up and running if we are going to move forward.”

Beccy said refurbishment works to the theatre’s seating and safety barriers will be carried out in the next year and the council voted to set up a working group to consult on the works.

“I am confident that so much of this can be achieved quickly and lay the groundwork for deficit reduction,” Beccy said.

“I am looking forward to continuing my work at The Princess and making improvements.”