New year strike threat in West End

The West End's struggling theatres face a possible shutdown in the new year through strike action.

Hundreds of backstage and front-of-house staff belonging to theatre union Bectu have rejected a 1.6 per cent pay offer as "poverty pay".

A strike ballot may be held before Christmas, leaving the option open of industrial action towards the end of next month. Bectu theatres organiser Mark David-Gray stressed that the union remains "open to a constructive response" from the Society of London Theatre.

The timing could not be worse for theatres because of the absence of tourists, especially visitors from North America. Some say business is down 30 per cent.