Much Needed Relief For Theatres, Museums & Music Venues
Words and Header Image by Kieran Webber
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak last night announced a £1.57 Billion relief fund for the U.K arts sector. It will provide music venues, museums, independent cinemas, galleries, theatres and heritage sites with emergency grants and loans.
This is the largest one-off investment in U.K culture and is follows other measures such as loans, business rate holidays and the coronavirus job retention scheme. All of which are in place to help businesses through this current crisis.
Speaking about the relief fund Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “From iconic theatre and musicals, mesmerising exhibitions at our world-class galleries to gigs performed in local basement venues, the UK’s cultural industry is the beating heart of this country.” He continues, “This money will help safeguard the sector for future generations, ensuring arts groups and venues across the UK can stay afloat and support their staff whilst their doors remain closed and curtains remain down.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden also added: “Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast-growing creative industries. I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and preserve all we can for future generations.”
The relief funds will include £1.15 billion “support pot” for cultural organisations in England, consisting of £270 million of repayable finance and £880 in grants.
In addition to this it includes £100 million for national cultural institutions in England and the English Heritage Trust as well as £120 million of capital investment to restart construction on cultural infrastructure and heritage construction projects in England that were in hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The package will also see relief for Northern Ireland (£33 million, Scotland (£97 million) and Wales (£59 million).
The relief fund will allow the arts community and industry to breath a united sigh of relief. It’s a massive step in the right direction and hopefully funds are directed to those that need it most.
We asked for a quote from Newquay & St.Austell MP Steve Double but have yet to hear back.