Brighton Open Air Theatre (Boat)
Analysis
Brighton Open Air Theatre (Boat) is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in East Sussex. It was registered in March 2014, 12 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Brighton Open Air Theatre (Boat) reported income of £518k and spending of £465k, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from April 2022 to December 2025, income grew from £398k to £518k (+30%), an average of +6.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 15%. Over the whole period it spent 91% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Brighton Open Air Theatre (Boat) sits at the 92nd percentile: it is larger than about 92% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 90th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Harley Foundation (£518k), The Long Shop Museum (£519k) and Lichfield Festival Limited (£518k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 94% and donations and legacies 5.2%. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 2.4%. Reserves of £50k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 5.2%
- Charitable activities 94%
- Investments 0.3%
In the charity's own words
The advancement of education in arts and culture through the establishment, management and maintenance of an open air theatre in Brighton & Hove for the use of residents and visitors. The cultural facility operates from April to September each year and is based at Dyke Road Park in Hove. We present performance, spoken word, film, music and community events. It opened in May 2015.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Harley Foundation | Worksop | £518k |
| The Long Shop Museum | Suffolk | £519k |
| Lichfield Festival Limited | Lichfield | £518k |
| Group for Education in Museums | Chatham | £520k |