Bosses at Bingley Little Theatre are developing a ten-year action plan to halt declining audiences and ensure the show goes on.

Sandra Williams, a management consultant and BLT member, has been asked to advise on its marketing strategy in a bid to increase membership and ticket sales.

A report outlining how the theatre can meet its goals has now been circulated to members and comments from the general public are being invited.

Publicity officer Jill Kemp said: "Audiences are very, very slightly down and we didn't want to get to a point where it could be a real problem if we didn't do anything about it.

"We had a meeting where all committee members were invited and this is the result.

"I've not heard of any other theatre group doing this. We want ideas from people, and they don't have to be members.''

She added: "Out of 294 seats we average around 85 per cent which is down from the 96 per cent we managed about five years ago. I'm not sure why this has happened. People move about a lot more now, perhaps that has something to do with it."

According to the report, the theatre is a successful organisation with an enviable history. It continues: "In business terms it equates to a long established medium-sized company with a fairly considerable financial turnover. Subsequently we should try to manage it as such - rather than perhaps thinking we are dealing with a small corner shop!''

It calls for the creation of a Theatre Development Plan, identifying its priorities and setting out its goals and objectives.

Following a workshop it agreed a list of features it wanted to have in 2010 including:

A vibrant, successful little theatre offering mainstream productions in the main house.

A stronger Studio presence so that 'non-mainstream' productions can be staged.

Appeal to a mixed aged audience/membership with the majority 30-plus.

As many season ticket holders as possible.

Chairman Freda Denbigh said: "I want to see audiences revived obviously up to their former numbers and to bring in some new members, especially younger ones.

"All theatres are struggling, it's a general trend, audiences are dwindling a little bit.

"There is too much to attract the younger ones who can watch entertainment on the box. The more we can interest young people at an earlier age the better it will be for us.''

Anyone who would like to make their comments should write to Mrs Denbigh c/o BLT, Main Street, Bingley, BD16 2JZ.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.