AUDIENCE numbers at The Courtyard in Hereford have been on the up again this year.

The Courtyard has managed to buck the trend despite a national decline in the number of people attending subsidised theatres.

The current financial year, up to the end of January, has seen Courtyard audiences increase by 8.7 per cent. This follows a 17 per cent increase the previous year.

Total audiences at subsidised theatres across England have dropped by 9 per cent over the last two years.

Martyn Green, chief executive at The Courtyard, said: “I believe that with a balanced programme audiences are still particularly keen to support their local arts venue, especially where they engage directly and closely with the community.

"The Courtyard has invested heavily over the last seven years in developing direct links with the local community through its education and outreach programme."