Coronavirus: Discount ticketing booth TKTS to close leaving 20-plus out of work

Discount ticketing booth TKTS is set to close, leaving more than 20 people facing job losses.

The TKTS booth is based in Leicester Square and offers tickets to shows at reduced prices.

It has been confirmed that a proposal to close the booth has been put forward by the Society of London Theatre – which operates it – blaming the closure of theatres and the likelihood of business being slow to return when they can reopen.

It is also understood SOLT has indicated works to a substation under the booth are due to be carried out, which could take up to three years.

There are 13 contracted staff at TKTS, with about 10 casual staff members.

A spokeswoman for SOLT told The Stage: “Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, SOLT has seen a detrimental impact on business as income streams have been greatly reduced as a result of the enforced closure of theatres throughout London.

“The focus of the organisation has been, and continues to be, to minimise the risk of redundancies. The reduction in staff salaries and the job retention scheme have, to date, assisted with this, although there are going to be changes to the JRS scheme from August.”

She added: “After serious consideration, we have had to regretfully propose to close down the TKTS ticket booth for the foreseeable future as there is no requirement to sell tickets and in light of the above.

“The organisation has, therefore, entered into a consultation process with the employees affected by the proposal. We would like to confirm that no final decision with regard to those employees has been made at this stage.”