Pendle receives Covid culture lifeline grant

Pendle Leisure Trust is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support.

Some £257m. of investment was announced 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.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “I am delighted that Pendle Leisure is being significantly backed by the Government through the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. Their work plays a vitally important role in supporting fitness and health within all our local communities.”

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.”

The chairman of 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.”