Southbank Centre

Analysis

Southbank Centre is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in May 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Southbank Centre reported income of £58.3m and spending of £63.6m, spending 109% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £36.2m to £58.3m (+61%), an average of +13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 23%. Over the whole period it spent 104% 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, Southbank Centre 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru (£57.7m), Wjec Cbac Limited (£66.5m) and Stowe School Limited (£53.6m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 39%, donations and legacies 36%, charitable activities 22% and investments 2.5%. Charitable activities took 85% of spending and raising funds 2.2%. Reserves of £5.1m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 539 people.

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.