Royal Albert Hal
Move follows a vote by members against trustees' proposal that they should only sell unwanted tickets through the box office
The Royal Albert Hall plans to hold further talks with the Charity Commission after its members voted against introducing a rule that would ban them from selling their tickets except through the box-office price.
A ruling to stop members from making a profit on debenture seats was proposed earlier this year after The Times claimed that two trustees and their families made more than £100,000 a year by selling their tickets for events at the London venue.
In January, the commission had told trustees of the RAH that its practice of allowing members to sell their tickets for major events online might breach its guidance by allowing too great a benefit to private individuals. The commission’s guidance document, Charities and Public Benefit, says "any private benefits must be incidental".
After the allegations were made, trustees voted to introduce a new bye-law that would stop members who have debenture seats from selling their tickets for more than their box-office value. The bye-law could come into effect only if members agreed, but RAH members voted at the annual meeting last week not to ratify it.
Peta Travis, president of the RAH, said: "After considered debate, the members decided not to support the council’s recommended bye-law limiting the sale of tickets above face value by members of council.
"The council will continue to address the complex issues of the hall’s governance and is in continuing discussions with the Charity Commission."
A Charity Commission spokeswoman said: "We were aware that the charity's AGM was held on 31 May and have seen the brief public statement the charity has published. However, as yet we have not discussed the outcome with the charity."
