POOLE’S Lighthouse was having one of its best years in modern times until the pandemic left it fighting for survival.

Accounts for the year 2019-20 show the arts centre had seen ticket sales rising and still recorded a surplus despite the pandemic hitting in the final month.

Mike Jeffries, then chairman of Poole Arts Trust – which runs Lighthouse – reported: “Prior to the worldwide pandemic, 2019/20 was proving to be one of our strongest years in recent times.

“Our range of programme has gone from strength to strength and our occupancy levels have increased as audiences have responded.”

He said it was “fortuitous” that the 11 months before the pandemic took hold had seen “a strong commercial return as various initiatives began to show positive results”.

“But in March, our world came to an abrupt stop with the immediate closure of all venues to reduce the spread of the virus,” he added.

Lighthouse chief executive Elspeth McBain reported: “In previous years we have had many issues to contend with and respond to, and this year all was going swimmingly, with no dramas off the stages, a stable team, a great visiting programme of work, increased ticket sales, terrific projects with fabulous artists and arts organisations.

“However, that changed overnight on March 17 when Lighthouse closed due to the restrictions imposed by government to contain the global Covid-19 pandemic.”

The trust’s annual report said March was often “critical” to the centre’s financial performance and “to lose even half of this month was bound to have a significantly detrimental effect”.

Despite the pandemic, turnover increased from £3.31million to £3.95m and the organisation made a surplus of £38,719, after a loss of £105,547 the year before.

Ticket sales were on course to be seven per cent up on the previous year, but ended the year 13 per cent down after most of its March events were cancelled.

The annual report was written before a grant of almost £1m from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which the venue’s leaders said would secure its short-term feature.

Mr Jeffries’ report said: “The overwhelming challenge for 2020-21 will be simply to survive.

“In the absence of either income or a clear schedule for reopening the building it will be considered a success if, when we come to be writing this report next year, we can be relaying continued successful activity in our artistic, charitable and community endeavours.”

The report predicted a “significant shift” in the venue’s pricing policy.

“Some tickets will become more expensive, but many will become cheaper,” it said.

All but three of the centre’s 54 staff roles were furloughed at the time the report was written.