On February 19, 20221, it was announced that regeneration, restoration and maintenance projects that were planned before the pandemic in the UK—and that are now facing delays or increased costs—can now resume, thanks to £13.5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, “These are all ongoing major refurbishment and restoration projects, funded by us, which have been threatened by the pandemic.”
“From the oldest surviving outdoor swimming baths to a Victorian pier, and from a much-loved park to an historic abbey, these are all places that will enrich hundreds of lives when they reopen,” he said.
“We are delighted this extra funding from the Culture Recovery Fund will ensure that these exciting projects will go ahead,” Kerslake added.
Some of the projects that are now back on track:
Cleveland Pools, Bath
Built in 1815, Cleveland Pools is the oldest surviving lido in Britain and has received a £290,000 grant to help reintroduce outdoor swimming at the historic site by 2022.
Black Country Living Museum, Dudley
The open-air museum has received a grant of £3,740,000 towards the largest development in its 46-year history to create historical areas spanning the 1940s–1960s, as well as a new visitor centre.
The museum is currently operating as a vaccination centre, but when the development starts, it will create new opportunities for work and skills development in the local area.
Bevis Marks Synagogue, London
A grant of £497,000 has been awarded to improve access, enhance the interpretation of the synagogue’s collection and better illuminate its 300-year history.
Extra support
A further two projects – Hall for Cornwall and Dorset Museum – were awarded grants last year, taking the total support to £15m.
The Heritage Capital Kickstart Fund was distributed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It is part of the government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund package.
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said, “The aim of this funding has always been to protect cultural venues in the heart of communities up and down the country. These awards show we are doing just that – and saving jobs along the way.”
“We’re investing the Culture Recovery Fund in the places people can’t wait to get back to, when it is safe to do so,” he continued.
Full list of grants awarded by the Heritage Capital Kickstart Fund:
- Museum of Oxford Hidden Histories, £240,000
- Bevis Marks Synagogue Heritage Foundation, £497,000
- North Yorkshire Moors Historic Railway Trust, £296,000
- The Royal Pavilion Estate, Brighton, £1,000,000
- Tavistock Guildhall Gateway Centre, £130,900
- Museum of the Home (Geffrye Museum Trust), £692,000
- Bath Abbey, £534,000
- Tunbridge Wells Cultural & Learning Hub, £675,000
- The Archway Centre: Roman Baths Learning Centre and World Heritage Centre, £359,600
- Swanage Pier Regeneration Project, £469,800
- Cleveland Pools Trust, £290,000
- Lincoln Cathedral, £973,600
- Chester Farm, £719,700
- Wicksteed Park, £302,700
- Black Country Living Museum, £3,740,000
- The Whitaker, £179,900
- The Globe, Stockton-on-Tees, £774,000
- The Common Room of the Great North, £228,000
- Beamish Museum, £975,500
- Carlisle Cathedral, £250,000
- Thackray Museum, £174,600
- The Hyde Park Picture House, £285,600
Photo shows the Georgian-era Cleveland Pools in Bath, England. Image credit: Cleveland Pools.