The West End Theatre District

The West End theatre industry is an economic powerhouse, bolstering the UK economy with thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of tourist and industry spending, whilst creating significant tax yields and a major balance of payments surplus.

The Wyndham Report, published on July 15 1998, was the first ever investigation into the scale of this blue-chip industry. Written by Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, with data compiled by MORI, the report shows for the first time the massive economic importance of 'Theatreland' - the other 'Square Mile' in London, on which depends the well-being of hundreds of British companies.

The Wyndham Report revealed:

- The total economic impact of West End theatre in 1997 was £1,075 million
41,000 jobs depend on West End theatre
- West End theatre-goers spent £433 million on restaurants, hotels, transport and merchandise in 1997 in addition to £250 million on tickets
- 11.5 million seats were sold in 1997 (compared, for example, with 4 million for Greater London's 13 League football teams)
- West End theatre is one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions
- West End theatre contributed a £225 million surplus to the UK's balance of payments in 1997
- As a net currency earner for the UK, West End theatre is similar in size to the entire UK Advertising, Accountancy and Management Consultancy industries - and hugely bigger than the UK Film and Television industry
- Tax revenues of more than £200 million were produced by West End theatre in 1997
- London remains the Theatre Capital of the World with more shows and bigger audiences than anywhere else, including Broadway
- World-wide earnings of the biggest British shows dwarf those of Hollywood blockbuster films (eg 'Titanic, Jurassic Park')

taken from London Theatre Guide