Park opera charges branded failed idea

Leeds’ Tory group leader Andrew Carter hit out after only 6,596 people attended Opera in the Park, 35,000 fewer than previous years – and the decision to charge £12 for the event has now been deemed a failure.

Councillor Carter is now calling for a reduction in the £12 charge for the Classical Fantasia event at Kirkstall Abbey on Saturday September 3 – another event that used to be free.

He is instead suggesting charging £5, which he said would help prevent another low turnout.

Coun Carter said: “This policy is now a complete failure. The Labour-led administration has ignored all our warnings about introducing these charges, instead choosing to bury their heads in the sand and hope for the best.

“Attendance is down by over 35,000, the £12 charge was clearly destined for failure and they need to make amends by reducing the Classical Fantasia charge to £5.

“Not only have the ruling administration denied many Leeds residents a rare free day out, they have also messed up their own budget plans.

“They were hoping to raise £500,000 by charging £12 a head for these two events - they have only generated in the region of £70,000 from this one event.

“Where is the rest going to come from? It is voodoo economics and it simply will not do.

“These are showpiece events and low turnouts are not acceptable for events that are a key part of the city’s summer events programme.

“To avoid further embarrassment and to rescue this doomed policy I see no other option but to reduce Classical Fantasia charges to £5 a head. I believe this will result in the council actually gaining more revenue than sticking with the ludicrously high £12 charge.”

The Labour leadership declined to comment on the charging policy.