Members of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra are fearing for the future after Kirklees Council added extra costs onto town hall booking fees.
Orchestral Manager David Robinson says the group, as well as other venue hirers, are worried after a recent decision to slap 20% VAT on the booking costs for the town hall from April.
The move may mean the orchestra will have to pay £300 to £400 extra when booking venues for each of their concerts – money that will go to the taxman.
Mr Robinson said: “Government policy previously gave the impression of supporting the arts so why has the Treasury now seemingly turned to taxing them?
“This new tax could kill lots of amateur activities in local authority concert halls.
“The Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra’s surplus last season might have been wiped out two times over had these charges applied.”
David said he was waiting for the orchestra’s treasurer to work out the figures, which would reveal the hole in their pocket after the added costs.
The charges apply to booking the town hall, as well as any other council properties and venues.
Charges to hire the entire town hall with VAT are £1,433 between Monday and Wednesday, and £1,610 Thursdays to Sundays.
Rehearsals are charged at £282 or £330 depending on the day of the week, while extra fees are charged to hire the hall’s piano and organ.
A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “Following discussions with HMRC the council have been left with no option but to charge VAT from April 2016 on town hall hire and associated costs.
“We understand that this will have an impact on some of our hirers and have tried to reduce the cost where possible by offering alternative hire packages.”
