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Culture fund boost for Orbit cinema
Independent cinema, Wellington Orbit has received funding of £3,662 from the Governments Culture Recovery Fund so that they can continue to be here for you and #HereForCulture.
The funding is part of the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to supports the arts sector during difficult times. Today 42 independent cinemas across England received a cash boost from the fund in the first awards made by the British Film Institute (BFI) to support England’s screen sector, as announced today by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. The important cash boost of more than £650,000 will help independent cinemas like Wellington Orbit to meet the additional costs of creating a safe and Covid-secure environment for staff and audiences.
Ray Hughes, Board Director at Wellington Orbit, said: “We are pleased to have been successful in our application for our safety grant from the Culture Recovery Fund. This crucial funding will help us to maintain our Covid safety measures in the cinema and cafe since we reopened in July. We would like to thank the BFI and DCMS for supporting Independent cinemas like us during these difficult times.”.
“The amount awarded matches to the penny the amount we claimed and covers not only amounts already spent but forecast expenditure up to 31st March 2021. It also covers safeguarding expenditure such as protective screens and face masks. Customer security has always been our number one priority in reopening and this award gives extra reassurance to customers that we will do the maximum possible to safeguard them in accordance with government guidance.”
“I would particularly like to thank one of our many fantastic volunteers Joerg Niehoegen who put in long hours to research all the voluminous guidance to help us draw up our Covid Risk Assessment which formed the basis of the claim.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “We all enjoyed the escapism of a good film during lockdown, but nothing beats the experience of the big screen. This first wave of emergency funding will help dozens of independent cinemas around the country, preserving their unique character and history for future generations” … “Now we need the public to pay their part too. So I urge everyone to get booking your seats and support your local cinema”.
Wellington Orbit reopened in July after lockdown, and last week welcomed its 20,000th sale since it first opened last year.