Petr, at Poynton Ceilidhs we charge £8 admission. Bands are usually paid a percentage of the door receipts subject to a guaranteed minimum. Bands will usually bring their own PA and caller (and perhaps sound engineer, although often someone in the band will do this as well) and these are included in the band's fee.

However we pay much less than you for the hall rental (it's just gone up to £70).   

Our average turnout is probably about the same as yours and I'm surprised that you consider that 70-80 people isn't a good turnout. Perhaps if you're expecting to fill a large hall these numbers will seem disappointing - we reckon the maximum our hall can comfortably hold for dancing is 110.

Based on the information you've given my first suggestion would be to find a smaller, cheaper hall. Then find out if people would be prepared to pay a little more to ensure that the event keeps going. They may even be prepared to pay quite a bit more if that meant you could bring in some well-known bands and callers.

Shameless plug: Poynton Ceilidhs will be starting the Autumn season on Saturday 27 September with the amazing Asha and callers Dave Jolly and Jackie Allen. For more details of this and our other events go to Poynton Ceilidhs