Halifax's Victoria Theatre set to receive £300,000
The money will go towards plans to re-open the theatre safely and making it COVID-secure.
A £300,000 grant for a council-run theatre in Halifax will help towards plans to re-open it safely and COVID-secure, say local authority leaders.
Calderdale Council says plans to re-open the Victoria Theatre in Halifax will be announced as soon as possible.
The theatre has been awarded £301,330 from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, to help face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure it has a sustainable future.
The announcement was made on Monday as part of the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme, administered by Arts Council England, and further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Coun Jenny Lynn (Lab, Park), said the grant was very welcome.
“This is terrific news for our much-loved, historic theatre, for the brilliant team that keeps it running, for the artistes and performers that it supports, and for all the theatre-goers who have missed spending time there during its closure due to the pandemic.
“The Victoria Theatre makes a significant contribution to our local economy, bringing joy to our communities and development opportunities for performers, technical staff and arts management professionals.
“I am delighted that this grant will enable it to carry on delivering for future generations,” she said.
The theatre opened in 1901 and is central to the cultural, economic and social life of Halifax and Calderdale, also plays a significant role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing, says the council.