Stage rage at parking costs

York Light Opera Company, York Musical Theatre Company and York Opera have issued a joint statement warning that charges were hitting their members hard.

They said each group performed at York Theatre Royal for either one or two weeks per year.

"York Musical Theatre Company also play for a week in the Grand Opera House," they said.

"York Opera, who stage large chorus operas, can bring a total company of 100 people - soloists, chorus, orchestra and back stage crew - into the theatre."

They said the added expense of parking under the new regulations added up to something like £25-30 per week per car, driven by people who were not paid for their work.

They believed the three companies - and all the other musical and dramatic groups in York - added greatly to the general range of entertainment available both to residents and to visitors.

"We feel that the imposition of parking fees after 6pm is a dangerous and direct attack on the evening life of the city, and on its ability to attract people from the surrounding area to our theatres, cinemas, restaurants and pubs.

"Former councils have worked very hard to encourage visitors to come into the city, but those now in power seem to be doing their very best to discourage anyone from visiting York at all.

"The effect on our audiences and on audiences for all live theatre and music in our city has not yet been fully analysed, but could eventually lead to a serious reduction in the services that we provide."

Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, said the council's Frequent Users Pass could be bought on a quarterly basis for just £25, covering any three-month period.

She said the authority was also looking at various schemes to help organisations affected by evening charges, including a Night Out package.

She added that a major review of the parking charges would be conducted this autumn.

Updated: 08:26 Monday, July 12, 2004