Chesterfield’s theatres and museum receive extra £153,000 from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

The money, from the Culture Recovery Fund, is worth £153,000 which will be shared between the museum and Pomegranate and Winding Wheel theatres.

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In total, the venues have received more than £500,000 through the fund over the last year.

Anthony Radford, Chesterfield Borough Council’s arts and venues manager, said: “We are delighted that we have been awarded a further grant of £153,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund.

“We are extremely grateful for this grant which is a contribution towards the operational costs of Chesterfield theatres and Chesterfield Museum during the period April to June 2021.

“It is hoped that the Pomegranate Theatre and Chesterfield Museum will be able to reopen during the week commencing May 17 as per the Government roadmap.

“The grant will enable us to reopen during a period when expected income is at a lower level than normal due to the expected restrictions in place.

“The grants received from the Culture Recovery Fund have provided essential support for the provision of cultural services in Chesterfield during the Covid-19 pandemic, and have ensured that Chesterfield theatres and Chesterfield Museum can play an important role in the cultural life of the town as the community starts to recover.”

The Winding Wheel is currently being used as a Covid-19 vaccination centre and it has not yet been revealed when it will reopen as a theatre.

A number of other local cultural and creative organisations have also received money from the Culture Recovery Fund, including:

- £980,000 for Pinxton-based KB Event Ltd

- £120,000 for Pikehall’s Y Not Festival

- £38,548 for Ripley’s Midland Railway Trust

- £30,000 for Cromford-based Adverse Camber

- £28,787 for Eyam Museum

- £27,190 for Bolsover’s OPUS Music

- £25,000 for Chesterfield-based Junction Arts

Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary, said: “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."

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