Independent cinemas in Derbyshire supported by £1.5million fund to help them survive Covid-19 pandemic

Two independent cinemas in Derbyshire are being supported by funding to help them survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ritz Cinema in Belper on its opening night.Ritz Cinema in Belper on its opening night.
Ritz Cinema in Belper on its opening night.

The Ritz Cinema in Belper, a well-loved cultural venue in the town, received £126,113 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

The Reel Cinema in Ilkeston was also boosted by £9,997 in the run up to Christmas to help the community venue and local cinema weather the storm of Covid-19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The funding has come from a £30 million pot allocated by the British Film Institute (BFI), on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as part of the biggest ever single investment in this country’s cultural sectors.

Cinemas will be able to apply for another £14 million in grants this New Year as part of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

Recognising that cinemas need content, during this crisis, the Government’s Film and TV Production Restart Scheme has also helped keep the cameras rolling at the other end of the screen supply chain.

The £500 million scheme, which opened for applications in October, has assured nearly 100 productions that they will be supported if future losses are incurred due to Covid-19 and provided the confidence they need to restart filming.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The magic of film is such an important part of the festive period and this investment has helped to protect our independent cinemas so they're around for many Christmases to come.

"Alongside it, the extension of the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme means the UK will be producing even more great content as the cinema industry recovers, keeping us at the forefront of the creative industries.”

Ben Roberts, British Film Institute chief executive, said: “Across the country, local independent cinemas are hubs and lifelines for communities and often the only form of culture and entertainment.

"From educational programmes and workshops for young people, to screenings for the elderly and audiences with specialised needs, these cinemas play such an important role in people’s lives.

"The fund will mean that many of these cinemas survive the current crisis, and go on to thrive in the future.”