SOLT’s 2012 Box Office figures reveal that gross sales of £529,787,692 were up 0.27% on the previous year, with attendances increasing by 0.56% to 13,992,773 year-on-year.

Theatres across London feared the Olympics would have a dramatic and negative impact on theatre sales, yet whilst venues closed on the night of the opening ceremony and other dates during August, more tickets were sold for the first week of the games than were sold during the week of the Royal Wedding in 2011.

Overall growth was attributed to a strong first half of the year and good sales through the autumn.

There were major new productions hitting the West End such as Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre) and Sweeney Todd and The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre. As well as Michael Grandage’s new company making its debut at the Noël Coward Theatre, productions such as Matilda and One Man, Two Guvnors, saw continued success.

Solt’s President Mark Rubinstein said he was “delighted” with the report.

“The 9th year running we are able to report year-on-year growth in ticket income for London Theatres,” he said. “It is particularly astonishing that we are able to report increasing sales – of over half a billion pounds – for a year that we always knew would have exceptional challenges.

“Against the background of a tough economic climate, London theatre continues to buck the trend, offering dazzling, world-class entertainment, which has audiences from both home and abroad flocking to the West End to catch exciting new productions as well as much-loved long running favourites. With the combined box office advance sales breaking new records we are looking forward to another year of success stories for our theatres.”

London theatre ticket sales generated VAT receipts for the Treasury of £88,297,949 again an increase on 2011.

For more information visit www.solt.co.uk