Lifeline for Edinburgh Filmhouse

It's among six projects to be awarded UK Government help

Edinburgh Filmhouse has been awarded UK Government funding
Author: Anita StrattonPublished 23rd Mar 2024

The iconic Edinburgh Filmhouse is being granted £1.5million pounds by the UK Government, after it was forced into administration late in 2022.

The money will be used to refurbish the historical cinema by installing a new fourth screen and improving accessibility throughout the building.

It's part of a £33.5 million package, announced today by the UK Government, that will see lifelines extended to facilities across Britain, as part of ministers' "levelling up" programme.

Six projects in total in Scotland will benefit from the cash boost, which forms the third round of the Government's £150 million Community Ownership Fund, including Kilmarnock community group Take a Bow development Trust which has been awarded £854,000. Castlemilk Community Football Trust, East Renfrewshire community hub, and Penicuik YMCA have also been awarded funding.

Levelling up minister Jacob Young described the money as "a major rescue package" that will "stop these great establishments closing or being lost forever".

He said: "We know how much these vital community assets mean to people across the country. They are an important lifeline for people young and old, and they're the beating heart of our towns, cities and villages."

There will be one further round of funding as part of the Community Ownership Fund, which will be announced later this year.

The fourth round will involve two bidding windows, one opening on Monday and the other in late May.

In total, £103 million of the Community Ownership Fund has been announced so far.

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