Openwide Coastal delighted to receive grant from second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

2nd April 2021 10:12 am

We are delighted to announce Cromer Pier theatre will receive a grant from second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, read full info here…

Openwide Coastal Ltd, proud custodians and operators of Cromer Pier and Pavilion Theatre on behalf of North Norfolk District Council and the producers of the world famous Cromer Pier Show for the last 19 years, are delighted to be among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

With reduced audience capacities and government restrictions during the pandemic, it was impossible to stage the usual Cromer Summer and Christmas shows last year. This grant will make a substantial contribution to the losses incurred whilst the theatre was closed and will enable Openwide Coastal to recover and take the risks to open again this summer.

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Openwide Coastal in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

Rory Holburn, Director at Openwide Coastal commented, “This has been an extremely difficult time for the arts and entertainment industry and we are thrilled to secure this funding which will provide us with much needed support to help the theatre recover from the covid19 pandemic and help towards the immense costs carried by the company to ensure the Cromer pier Show can continue to delight audiences for many more years to come.”

“The Pier and Pavilion Theatre are cornerstones of the local tourism economy so we are delighted that we will be able to also help provide a much needed boost this summer as all businesses attempt to recover from the damage the pandemic has done.”

Rory concluded, “The arts council grant will really help the Cromer Pier Show survive as we try to re-build the business over the next few years with our partners at NNDC. We would really like to thank the Arts Council for recognising the importance of this national treasure to the cultural landscape.”

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead. 

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, 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.”

Rory Holburn, Director at Openwide Coastal, said:

“The Cromer pier Show is the only full season end of pier variety show left in the world and we are delighted the show will be returning from July this year, thanks to the support of the Arts Council England culture recovery fund.”

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:

“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. 

We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.