Brighton Dome said today it had enjoyed record-breaking ticket sales after reorganising its programme schedule from bi-monthly to seasonal.

And the Church Street arts venue hailed its long-term collaboration with Brighton-based communications firm Lime Marketing, who produced its 40-page autumn brochure.

In the three weeks since the programme was distributed, tickets sales have topped £200,000 - more than was taken during the same period in previous years.

Brighton Dome has worked closely with Lime ever since its £21million lottery-funded refurbishment in March 2002, when its name was changed from The Dome.

Carole Britten, marketing manager at Brighton Dome, said: "Usually the last two weeks of August are quite slow for bookings and then things pick up.

"But the response to our autumn brochure has already been fantastic and that is due to the performers we have booked and the hard work of Lime.

"Lime have given the brochure great clarity so it is very easy to navigate and the visuals are absolutely great. The pictures leap out at you off the page."

She said the switch to seasonal programming was introduced after talking with visitors to the Corn Exchange, Pavilion Theatre and Concert Hall, which make up Brighton Dome.

She said: "We were concerned we were not giving people enough time to plan ahead and also that we could not show the full range in one brochure.

"Because this programme covers the four months you can guarantee there will be something in there for everybody and we can give everything the treatment it deserves."

Carole said she hoped turnover for the autumn would top £1.5 million.

Annalisa Hammond, managing director of Lime, said: "There is plenty of talent in Brighton and our collaboration with Brighton Dome proves you don't have to go to London.

"Quite the reverse in fact. On the back of our work with Brighton Dome we were asked by the Barbican in London to work on its programmes and film guides."

Tuesday, September 13, 2005