“The Government’s Culture Recovery Fund is awarding Lichfield a massive boost today” says Michael Fabricant.  “Six local organisations have received almost £1.5 million to help them recover from closures due to Covid.  This will allow them to hit the ground running!”

The following local awards have been made:

The Red Carpet Cinema Ltd, Barton           £209,643
Lichfield Garrick Theatre                              £135,024
The Guild of St Mary’s Centre, Lichfield    £31,600
Lichfield Festival                                           £52,859
Lichfield Cathedral                                        £364,400
National Memorial Arboretum                    £687,700

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.  Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”

Michael adds  “Oliver has announced details of over 2,700 organisations across the UK being offered nearly £400 million in grants and loans to help the culture and heritage sector reopen and recover.  This brings the Government’s total investment across grants, capital and repayable finance from the Culture Recovery Fund so far to more than £1.2 billion across over 5,000 individual cultural and heritage organisations and sites.

“The funding was reserved in the first round of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to allow the Government to respond to the changing public health picture. With more than 70% of funding going outside of London, it will help organisations across the country as they welcome back visitors and return to normal operations in the months ahead.”