New £250,000 grant for Harrogate Theatre secures 'immediate future'

Harrogate NHS Nightingale Hospital put on standby as Covid virus cases rise across the north

Harrogate Theatre is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme, being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Chief Executive of Harrogate Theatre, David Bown said: “The funding provides an urgent lifeline to Harrogate Theatre and many other arts organisations across the country. We are thankful for this vital intervention which demonstrates our value to our local area and the wider cultural sector.

"This support secures our immediate future by covering losses from November 2020 to April 2021.

"It also enables us to prepare for a return in 2021 in safe and robust manner.

"We are proud to have sat at the heart of Harrogate for over 120 years, serving our local community and bringing high quality arts and participation opportunities to the town.

"With this and the continued support from our local community we are determined to return stronger than ever.

"I would like to thank all of our stakeholders, especially the board of directors and Harrogate Borough Council who have likewise provided remarkable support throughout these difficult times.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said: “Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages.

"This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

Chair of the Board for Harrogate Theatre, Deborah Larwood said: “We are incredibly grateful to have been awarded a grant through the Culture Recovery Fund.

"This support will play a crucial role in enabling us to stabilise the Theatre following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Like many of our peers in the sector, in these most challenging times we have had to make some very difficult decisions, but this funding gives us the opportunity to focus on planning for the future and to prepare to welcome audiences back in 2021.”

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