Britten Pears Arts

Analysis

Britten Pears Arts is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Saxmundham. It was registered in July 1970, 56 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 company (Companies House number 00980281). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and other charitable activities.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Britten Pears Arts reported income of £15.3m and spending of £13.0m, spending 85% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £9.3m to £15.3m (+65%), an average of +13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 44%. Over the whole period it spent 88% 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, Britten Pears Arts sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Birmingham Repertory Theatre Limited (£15.3m), Active Luton (£15.7m) and The Edward James Foundation Limited (£15.1m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 49%, donations and legacies 35%, charitable activities 11% and investments 4.6%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £163k. Charitable activities took 51% of spending and raising funds 4.7%. Reserves of £2.8m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 156 people.