Shire Hall (Dorchester) Trust
Analysis
Shire Hall (Dorchester) Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Dorchester. It was registered in August 2015, 11 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 March 2025, Shire Hall (Dorchester) Trust reported income of £228k and spending of £376k, spending 165% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £421k to £228k (-46%), an average of -14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income dropped by 22%. Over the whole period it spent 107% 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, Shire Hall (Dorchester) Trust sits at the 86th percentile: it is larger than about 86% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 82nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Retford Majestic Theatre Co Ltd (£228k), Breaking Convention Events (£228k) and Youth Charter (£227k).
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The Shire Hall (Dorchester)Trust is an independent charity that operates the Historic Courthouse Museum at Dorset's Shire Hall. Our mission is to make Shire Hall into a place that engages visitors with the history of justice and injustice in Dorset and beyond. It inspires people to make a difference to society, politics, and justice for all.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Retford Majestic Theatre Co Ltd | Retford | £228k |
| Breaking Convention Events | London | £228k |
| Youth Charter | London | £227k |
| Trinant Sports and Social Club Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) | Newport | £228k |