Over 70 pubs, theatres and museums saved by government rescue package
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Over 70 community treasures including historic theatres, pubs and
museums to be rescued with £25 million UK Government levelling up
funding Successful community projects to receive up to £2 million
for the first time, with three heritage theatres winning the top
awards Funding will ensure local people continue to reap the
benefits of their valued community assets, preserving them for
future generations Museums, pubs, parks and cinemas across the
country will be...Request free trial
Museums, pubs, parks and cinemas across the country will be kept alive by a £25 million rescue package announced today (22/12/23). Successful bidders will be given a share of the Community Ownership Fund – a funding pot rescuing community places that form the beating heart of a local community. More than 70 treasured buildings across the UK will be saved, protecting important community spaces that mean so much to local people. £2 million will be granted to individual projects for the first time ever, with three historic theatres set to benefit from significant funding in this round. Just over £2 million will go to the historic Wolverhampton Grand Theatre so it can buy a neighbouring 1800s building and turn it into an adjoining venue. This will allow the theatre - which turned 129 years old this December - more space to host creative and performing arts activities. Another £2 million will help secure the long-term future of the King's Theatre in Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s most historic and significant theatres. The heritage building will be extended to improve its disability access. A new community hub will also allow the theatre to host more activities like song-writing and singing, story-telling, language-cafes, relaxed performances and volunteering. In another win for theatres, over £1 million will restore the historic Jacobs Wells Baths building in Bristol, to bring its live dance and theatre performances to life again. The Grade II Listed building will also provide space for other community activities like jobs fairs, flea markets, dance and fitness classes, youth support and targeted arts and heritage projects that bring young and old people together. The latest round of the Community Ownership Fund will also be supporting:
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove said: “Investing in communities improves lives – whether that’s rebuilding a community centre, rescuing historic pubs and theatres or upgrading sports facilities used by families every day. “These are unique and cherished places, valued by local people of all ages, and we know how much they mean to communities. “The Community Ownership Fund is about restoring pride in the places people call home and I’m delighted to be funding these projects.” Adrian Jackson CEO and Artistic Director of the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre said: “Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is committed to supporting and empowering our cherished community, therefore the grant from the Community Ownership Fund will allow us to continue to enhance the cultural and creative enrichment within the City. “Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has been developing major creative expansion plans for the past six years and these will now finally become a reality. “I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for recognising the significant impact our work will have on the local community and for this exciting new chapter”. With today’s funding boost, the Community Ownership Fund has now funded more than 250 projects across the UK worth a total £71.4 million. The fund – worth a total £150 million - was launched in 2021 to provide targeted support for community places that most impact local people. Scottish projects in this round will be supported with £8 million of funding, with a further £1.4 million for Northern Ireland and almost £440,000 for Wales. So far, the Community Ownership Fund has awarded a total £13.6 million for 43 projects in Scotland; £5.5 million for 24 projects in Northern Ireland and £4.2 million for 19 projects in Wales. In England, the latest funding round will support:
The next funding window of the Community Ownership Fund is now open for bids and will close on 31 January 2024. Projects are being urged to apply for up to £2 million. ENDS Notes to editors:
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