Theatres benefit from Levelling Up funding

Theatres Trust welcomes news that several theatre projects will receive funding as part of the second round of the Levelling Up Fund.

The government has announced the details of 111 areas that will receive a share of £2.1bn from the second round of the Levelling Up Fund.

Amongst the successful bids are several projects involving theatres including:

• Spilsby Sessions House, which is on our Theatres at Risk list, which as a key project in the East Lindsey District Council’s bid will receive funding for its capital project to bring the building back into operation as an arts venue and heritage attraction
• Reading Hexagon Theatre, which we have campaigned to protect in recent years, will receive funding to be transformed for modern audiences
• Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock and Palace Theatre in Telford all receive funding for major refurbishment projects
• Derby will develop a Learning Theatre on the site of the Assembly Rooms.
• Harlow will create a new music and arts venue by combining the Playhouse Theatre, Gibberd Gallery and the Library
• Malvern has received funding for a new outdoor theatre

While not funded directly, another of our Theatres at Risk, Morecambe Winter Gardens will benefit from the successful bid for the Eden Project North, which will result in further investment and revitalisation of the area and an increase in visitor numbers.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan says “We are delighted to see a number of theatre projects benefitting from the second round of the Levelling Up Fund.

"We know from our work with theatres in towns and villages across the country that they provide important social and cultural spaces for communities and there is huge value in investing in the performing arts and in cultural infrastructure, which can kickstart the revival of town centres and help reignite local pride. We are pleased to see that this is being recognised at a government level.

"As with any fund of this kind, there will be projects that missed out on funding, and we hope to work with those organisations to support them to find alternative ways forward.”

Photo: Spilsby Theatre by Ian Grundy