Fee hike mars MSO's return MELBOURNE Symphony Orchestra's return to its home concert hall has been accompanied by a stinging hike in venue hire fees. The MSO will today announce a deficit of $798,816, which management says is due to the disruption of its two-year absence from Hamer Hall. The orchestra has absorbed the loss, but managing director Andre Gremillet has taken issue with Arts Centre Melbourne and the increased charges on the hall. Gremillet says hire fees had increased by 61 per cent for rehearsals and 43 per cent for performances since 2010, when the hall closed for refurbishment. "Obviously this is not working for us," he says. Hamer Hall reopened last July after a $135.8 million renovation, which has vastly improved the acoustics in the auditorium and the appearance of public areas. While the work was under way, the MSO gave concerts across the Yarra at Melbourne Town Hall. Gremillet, who joined the orchestra last November, says the move was "very disruptive to our audience" and, although ticket revenue increased to $8.1m last year, sales were below expectations. In addition, compensation from the state government ceased after the orchestra returned to Hamer Hall. Financial statements show Arts Victoria "impacts funding" associated with the hall closure dropped last year by $757,989, an amount similar to the size of MSO's deficit. Gremillet says he will seek a reduction in hall hire charges, as he does not want to pass the cost increase on to ticket-buyers. "Not performing at Hamer Hall is not an alternative," he says. Arts Centre Melbourne chief executive Judith Isherwood says resident companies such as the MSO enjoy a discounted rate, but fees for Hamer Hall have increased in line with comparable venues. The fee can not be reduced, she says, and the state government -- as funding partner of both ACM and the orchestra -- will need to find a resolution. "The ability of us to provide affordable venues is under pressure and those companies are under pressure to pay what they currently pay," she says.