Funding boost for Peterborough’s Cresset

The Cresset in Peterborough has received a vital cash boost after being given more than £80,000 as part of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
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The Cresset has received a grant of £80,850 from the £1.57 billion scheme to help the organisation recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This crucial funding will also help to support the theatre as it prepares to reopen later in 2021.

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The Cresset has been staging live events in Peterborough for over 40 years, playing host to hundreds of acts and performances each year. Despite the challenges faced in the past year because of the pandemic – with over 100 performances having to be rescheduled since March 2020 – the venue was able to stage some events which were specially adapted to conform to social distancing guidelines, including a Christmas pantomime, thanks to the support provided by the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

The CressetThe Cresset
The Cresset

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.

Head of Commercial Activities at The Cresset Penny Hansen said: “This funding is going to make a huge difference to our recovery, with the immediate impact of allowing us to return staff to work so we can begin planning to welcome audiences back to live events. After such a difficult year we’re delighted to be able to start looking to the future with confidence and this crucial support will help us to do that, enabling us to stage some socially distanced events as well as support local creative people and projects.”

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.

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“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."

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.

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