Local MP for Hastings and Rye, Sally-Ann Hart, has welcomed the Government announcement of a £3.36million fund, to save grass roots music venue at immediate risk of closure. Including £93,000 to help The Piper, Grand Elektra, the Brass Monkey and Marina Fountain in Hastings and Rye.
The fund is providing vital support to 135 music venues, which otherwise would face collapse due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Accelerated funding is being provided to cover on-going running costs incurred during closure, including rent and utilities, so that some of the country’s most treasured venues can survive.
This support is on top of the £500 million in grants being delivered to cultural organisation by Arts Council England, who are still accepting applications until 4 September. All this funding forms part of an unprecedented £1.57bn rescue package for culture and heritage from the Government to see these sectors through the coronavirus pandemic.
Indoor performances can now restart with socially distanced audiences so music venues are now able to reopen safely, alongside other culture venues and heritage sites. Ministers and Sally-Ann are encouraging everyone to visit reopened venues and support cultural organisations starting to put performances back on.
On hearing the news of this funding, Sall-Ann said, “I welcome the fantastic support being given to help the arts in Hastings and Rye, which really shows that this Government is committed to supporting areas like ours.
“Grassroots venues like the four who have received this funding – Brass Monkey, Grand Elektra, The Piper and the Marian Fountain - are the engine room of the hugely successful British music scene. Providing aspiring musicians with an important source of income and honing the craft of the great musical talents of the tomorrow. These live music venues are being saved by the Government because it is so vital to our vibrant music industry, as well as being a local treasure’.
Commenting, the Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden said“This Government is here for culture and these grants today show we are determined to help our exceptional music industry weather the covid storm and come back stronger. Grassroots music venues are where the magic starts and these emergency grants from our £1.57bn fund will ensure these music venues survive to create the Adeles and Ed Sheerans of the future.
“I encourage music fans to help too by supporting music and cultural events as they start to get going again. We need a collective effort to help the things we love through covid.”