Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited
Also known as: Mercury Theatre
Our primary object is to formulate and prepare schemes for and take all necessary steps for the advancement of education and the improvement of public taste through the medium of arts, and in particular the arts of drama, dancing, singing and music.
Activities & Mission
Our primary object is to formulate and prepare schemes for and take all necessary steps for the advancement of education and the improvement of public taste through the medium of arts, and in particular the arts of drama, dancing, singing and music.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 31% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 780). How is this calculated?
Higher than 29% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 28% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £5,834,412 | £5,353,905 | £4,723,537 | £2,068,645 | £384,823 | 98 / 0 |
| 2024 | £5,424,258 | £5,106,909 | £4,424,814 | £1,588,138 | £455,851 | 96 / 0 |
| 2023 | £4,909,787 | £5,288,616 | £4,677,162 | £1,270,789 | £474,025 | 95 / 0 |
| 2022 | £3,770,551 | £4,175,460 | £3,725,307 | £1,280,592 | £571,939 | 68 / 0 |
| 2021 | £2,049,529 | £1,714,342 | £1,683,008 | £1,461,678 | £479,215 | 34 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited
What does Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited do?
Our primary object is to formulate and prepare schemes for and take all necessary steps for the advancement of education and the improvement of public taste through the medium of arts, and in particular the arts of drama, dancing, singing and music.
How much income did Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited report in 2025?
Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited reported total income of £5.83m and reported expenditure of £5.35m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited?
Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited has a program ratio of 81.0%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 31% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 780 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited registered as a charity?
Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 3 January 1964 as charity number 232387. It has been registered for 62 years.
Who runs Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited?
Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited is governed by a board of 13 trustees. The chair of trustees is MARK TREFOR HOULT-ALLEN. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited operate?
Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited operates across 2 areas: Essex and Suffolk.
Is Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited a registered charity?
Yes — Colchester Mercury Theatre Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 232387.
Details
MERCURY THEATRE
BALKERNE GATE
COLCHESTER
CO1 1PT
Registry Information
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Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Mercury Theatre
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated