Nine cinemas in the West Midlands get Government funding boost
Independent cinemas in the West Midlands have been given a funding boost through a Government grant award.
More than 200 independent cinemas in the country have been given a share of £16 million in grants from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.
Nine cinemas in the region have been awarded £419,375 in funding, spread over two areas.
Eligible cinemas were able to apply for health and safety grants, to help venues meet the immediate costs of implementing Covid-secure measures to protect staff and audiences.
There were also larger business sustainability grants to help stabilise sites financially.
Some cinemas have received health and safety grants and are currently awaiting further news on business sustainability grants.
Kelly Jeffs, CEO of Light House Cinema and Cafe Bar in Wolverhampton, said the £7,028 safety grant was a welcome boost to the efforts to make the cinema Covid-safe.
She said: "We're really pleased that we've been given some help towards implementing the necessary work to be Covid-compliant and hope it can help us to present a reopening plan soon.
"I think it's really important that the government has recognised how important independent cinemas are to the community and to the industry.
"They're not cash cows or big money makers, but are embedded into communities and need this support more than ever."
Other cinemas to benefit from one or both grants were Electric Palace Picturehouse Cannock; Empire, Birmingham Great Park; Empire Sutton Coldfield; Light Walsall; Mockingbird Cinema Birmingham; Red Carpet Cinema Lichfield; Reel Cinema Quinton and Stafford Cinema.
Sam Lavington, owner of Stafford Cinema, said the funding of £9,190 was a real help to the cinema, which has been operating in the town since 1936.
He said: "It helps to put us in a good place for when we can reopen as it will go on updating the building and enhancing it for future generations.
"It'll help to preserve this place and make sure it's still available to the patrons of Stafford, so I'm pleased to get the grant."
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The magic of film is such an important part of the festive period and this investment will help 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."
Cinemas will be able to apply for another £14 million in grants in the new year as part of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.
The new round of funding is in addition to the £30 million already being allocated by the BFI.
