Pandemic restrictions have had a huge impact on all businesses within the U.K.
Of all the industries the Hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit. This is due to these businesses being unable to pivot to an online service, and often having to maintain huge overheads with little to no revenue coming in.
However, in these challenging times the government has implemented measures to support businesses within this sector. This is to ensure businesses can continue to support themselves and their employee’s through one of the most difficult years the sector has faced.
Uttoxeter Cinebowl complex is one such business that has benefited. It has been granted £165,448 to help the establishment to continue, and weather the storm of Covid restrictions. The venue is an entertainment hub in the region, fitted with an ice rink, cinema, and 8 lane bowling alley. Due to the pandemic it has remained closed for the better part of last year.
The venue is one of 33 independent cinemas in the West Midlands to benefit from this amazing grant that totals £5 million. The grant is made possible by the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. A fund created to tackle the crisis facing our most beloved culture and heritage sites within the UK.
The grant, given by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and British Film Institute, is fundamental to keeping these spectacular venues functional for when lockdown restrictions ease later this year. This will allow hundreds of thousands of venues across the UK to reopen after a difficult year for the industry as a whole.
The department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport, has also given support to other vital locations across the UK. The Black Country Living Museum has been awarded £3,740,000. The museum is currently functioning as a vaccination centre, due to its location and size. Before the pandemic it had been planning the single biggest development in its history. This included totally new areas dedicated to new time regions such as the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. The grant will enable them to carry out this development, which will help to bolster the museum post-Covid, and offer new opportunities for work and employment in the region.
Grants and government support like these are hugely beneficial for the hospitality sector (the 4th biggest industry in the UK). Ensuring that businesses can stay open and protect the millions of workers that need to support themselves and their families.
To learn more about the Culture Recovery Fund as well as other grants and support packages for businesses you can visit the government website for further details.
