Regent Theatre and Corn Exchange ticket levy could rise to £2 to fund further improvements

Why it matters: The council's executive will discuss the changes on Wednesday. The money raised would be strictly used for work at both venues, the council says, to ensure they continue to "play a key role in Ipswich's visitor economy."

For context: A restoration levy has been in place at the Regent since 2023. The money helped fund its recent £3.5m major refurbishment, which included accessibility works, new bars, a lift and upgrades to toilet facilities. The levy, which started at £1.50, is now proposed to increase to £2.

The details: A similar levy is proposed for the Corn Exchange, also starting at £2. Future improvements at the Corn Exchange would be based on audience feedback and could include better seating, a new bar and sound improvements.

The council says a consultant has already been approached to prepare a feasibility study into increasing the Regent's stage capacity, in a bid to attract larger-scale and higher-quality productions.

Both levies would apply to tickets costing more than £10.

The bottom line: If approved, theatregoers at both venues will pay a little more per ticket, but the council says every penny raised will go directly back into the two venues.