£47,500 for Wells Maltings
The money's coming from the Government
Wells Maltings is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund
This award will allow this vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Wells-next-the-Sea to relaunch and recover its programmes as restrictions ease, developing the quality and breadth of exciting arts and entertainment for local community and visitors
Wells Maltings, in the heart of the bustling coastal town of Wells-next-the-Sea, has received a second grant of £47,500 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.
More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced.
Wells Maltings opened in 2018 after a £5.5m refurbishment and expansion programme, and was welcoming 75,000 visitors annually by March 2020 to enjoy its year-round programme of live theatre, music and comedy, film and visual arts exhibitions, in addition to its new heritage centre, community spaces and busy café and bar. It had been praised for its safe and COVID Secure approach to reopening in July 2020, with artistic work including two pieces of new live theatre with partner company fEAST Theatre. During lockdown, the Maltings has been promoting online activity and participation events via Zoom.
Supported by this grant, Wells Maltings aims to reopen its doors fully again on 17 May, with live theatre, film and art exhibitions. Events will follow the Government’s roadmap timeline regarding social distancing and other COVID measures, anticipating further relaxation over the summer. Artistic programmes from May will be announced and on sale in mid April, with the venue taking advantage of reduced restrictions from 12 April by promoting food, drink and live music at weekends outdoors.
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. Wells Maltings successfully received funding in the first round of awards announced in October 2020.
The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead after months of closures and cancellations, providing a much-needed helping hand for cultural organisations and their recovery.
Wells Maltings director, Simon Daykin, said:
"We are delighted to receive this much needed grant, which gets us further on our road to recovery this summer. It allows an exciting time ahead for everyone, putting our diverse cultural activity back where it belongs, and welcoming everyone back into our great venue. Safety will remain a priority of course, but the allowing us to be here of culture again is thrilling."