ENERGY bills at the Roundhouse have risen by half-a-million pounds as the music venue saw a drop-off in ticket sales caused by the summer’s warm weather.

Before government intervention, bills would have rocketed to over £1m, but even with ministers’ support, the increase is five-and-a-half times what it was before.

The venue – once a railway turntable for steam engines – hosts music gigs featuring energy-intensive lights and music systems.

It played host to the Fashion Freak Show this summer about Jean Paul Galtier’s life, and has a rich programme of creative workshops and classes for young people, at low or no cost.

CEO Marcus Davey said: “The Roundhouse isn’t alone and venues across the country face all of the same problems during these economically challenging times. We’re not alone or isolated from that.”

Marcus Davey joined the Roundhouse in 1999

The Roundhouse is part of a consortium of 13 different artistic venues across London which buy their energy together with the intention of bringing costs down by bulk-buying.

The situation comes amid lower than expected sales of tickets and drinks this summer.

This was, in part, caused by the record-breaking heatwaves which meant people wanted to stay outside, according to Mr Davey.

Similar patterns were seen across the West End at music and theatre venues.

Mr Davey is hoping that ticket sales over the next few months meet their targets. A number of high-profile acts, including Belle and Sebastian, Maximo Park and Soul II Soul will play there before Christmas.

“We want to make sure that people who come here have a really good time and make sure they want to come back, so that includes things like making sure they don’t have to queue too long for a second drink, for example. We have some amazing shows on sale and we are hoping people will come out and buy tickets,” he said.

“We are going to be OK. If the figure had stayed at more than £1m, it might have been very difficult. We are being very energy-conscious, and also reviewing things like our heating arrangements.

“Before, people would go to gigs and expect to get a bit sweaty, but now they have got used to air conditioning. When we get into the winter, is that something we will still use? Is there another way of getting cooler air in, using mechanical means, rather than that?”

Mr Davey, who joined the Roundhouse in 1999, said that they were looking at different ways of supporting staff through the cost of living crisis.

The venue boss praised them as “brilliant” and is keen to keep hold of them.

“We’re looking at every possible way to support them,” he added.

A new building is currently being built at the back of the Roundhouse which will expand its capacity to offer workshops, classes and sessions to youngsters aged between 11 and 25. About 8,000 already take part, and when the new building is finished it hopes to cater to nearly double that number.

The Young Creatives programme includes media and music projects, with some prices to be paid, but there is also a bursary scheme which has seen demand grow by 4 per cent in recent months.

Mr Davey said: “It’s one of the things that we’re proudest of and is most important about what we do. Especially after the pandemic, it’s so good for young people’s mental health and their future job prospects and opportunities.

“At a time where schools are shrinking their creative programmes, it’s really important for us to continue to do so. It’s got to be accessible and open to people, so it’s something we’re absolutely committed to.

“We’re lucky to have very generous backers and people who have donated to support us in doing it. “

The whole of the country is going to go through a very rough next six months, a year or more. We have got to come out fighting, we have got to have a bigger, bolder and brighter vision for ourselves and the people who we help more than ever.”