Britain’s globally renowned arts, culture and heritage industries will receive a world-leading £1.57 billion culture rescue package to help weather the impact of coronavirus, the government has announced.

CULTURE RESCUE PACKAGE

Blackpool Grand Statement

‘We are delighted and relieved to hear news of the government’s support package and investment in the arts and culture sector during this crucial time. Thanks, must go to DCMS, HM Treasury and the incredible number of people in the creative sector who have worked arm-in-arm to demonstrate the key role the arts play in our wellbeing and social lives.

‘We appreciate the incredible number of demands on the UK Government due to the coronavirus crisis, we are pleased that they recognised the incredible local and national benefits theatres like Blackpool Grand and others provide, and that support in this time is essential to our future as ticket sales (93%) and other income sources have disappeared during this time.

‘This package will assist Blackpool Grand and UK Culture venues and organisations like ours survive these immediate impacts, this support will also help us prepare to welcome back our incredible audiences, artists, creatives, freelancers, and participants as soon as safely possible.

‘Every employee is missing being in the venue, welcoming old friends and new. Once guidance has been given on Theatre’s opening, we assure you we will be there as soon as we can.

‘We look forward to receiving the details of the support package when we will see in full how this will help the survival of the creative sector.

‘The curtain will rise again…’

Ruth Eastwood, Blackpool Grand Theatre Chief Executive Officer

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Media

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Government Statement – Cultural and heritage organisations to be protected with £1.57 billion support package https://www.gov.uk/government/news/157-billion-investment-to-protect-britains-world-class-cultural-arts-and-heritage-institutions

Government Statements on the Culture Rescue Package

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.

‘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.’

Oliver Dowden Culture Secretary said ‘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. Today we are announcing a huge support package of immediate funding to tackle the funding crisis they face. I said we would not let the arts down, and this massive investment shows our level of commitment.’

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer said: ‘Our world-renowned galleries, museums, heritage sites, music venues and independent cinemas are not only critical to keeping our economy thriving, employing more than 700,000 people,  they’re the lifeblood of British culture.

‘That’s why we’re giving them the vital cash they need to safeguard their survival, helping to protect jobs and ensuring that they can continue to provide the sights and sounds that Britain is famous for.’

The package announced today includes funding for national cultural institutions in England and investment in cultural and heritage sites to restart construction work paused as a result of the pandemic. This will be a big step forward to help rebuild our cultural infrastructure. This unprecedented package includes:

• £1.15 billion support pot for cultural organisations in England delivered through a mix of grants and loans. This will be made up of £270 million of repayable finance and £880 million grants.
• £100 million of targeted support for the national cultural institutions in England and the English Heritage Trust.
• £120 million capital investment to restart construction on cultural infrastructure and for heritage construction projects in England which was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• The new funding will also mean an extra £188 million for the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland (£33 million), Scotland (£97 million) and Wales (£59 million).

Decisions on awards will be made working alongside expert independent figures from the sector including the Arts Council England and other specialist bodies such as Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.

Repayable finance will be issued on generous terms tailored for cultural institutions to ensure they are affordable. Further details will be set out when the scheme opens for applications in the coming weeks.