The Barbican arts centre in London has announced a strong set of financial results for 2005.

In 2005, turnover increased 10.25 per cent on 2004 while ticket sales rose by 9 per cent.

The overall attendance figure for last year was 86 per cent while box office takings for the current season hit more than £10m in December, nearly a month ahead of 2004 figures.

This financial success has been attributed to a number of factors in 2005 including the relaunch of the Barbican’s website, complete with streamlined navigation; sponsorship deals; the modernisation of the venue’s corporate hospitality scheme and the growth in profitability of its visual art tours. Details: www.barbican.org.uk