Government funding for cultural projects across Northamptonshire
Ten projects will benefit
North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has revealed a list of all the cultural projects set to benefit from a share of £5 million of government funding.
In April 2024, the council asked for interested projects to come forward to bid for the money and build a case for how it would benefit heritage and tourism in the area. It has now chosen ten projects from across the county to benefit from a new round of the Levelling Up Fund, announced by the previous Government in its Spring Budget.
The lucky projects are:
- The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering
- Rothwell Market House
- Desborough Heritage Centre
- Rushden Transport Heritage Society
- Adrenaline Alley in Corby
- Sywell Country Park
- Fermynwoods Contemporary Arts
- Chester House
- Transformation of the former Gala Bingo in Kettering
- Project M creative youth space in Corby
The council will also allocate £500,000 of the money to go towards grant schemes for smaller local cultural projects.
More information on all of the projects and an overview of each can be found in the Executive report.
Leader of NNC, Jason Smithers said: “North Northamptonshire is poised for a cultural transformation. A provisional fund of £5m has been earmarked to ignite local cultural projects, breathing new life into our communities.
“We are looking forward to the new Government’s confirmation of the final funding award. This investment is crucial for improving our cultural facilities, creating opportunities and building a sense of pride and belonging.”
A decision on the award of funding is expected soon and NNC is now making the necessary arrangements to ensure that the council is ready to deliver the projects identified by the predicted end date of March 2026.
Cllr Helen Howell, deputy leader and executive member for culture and tourism said it would be “an absolute travesty” if the funding did not come through from the Labour Government after all the hard work put in by local businesses and the authority.
“These projects are fantastic. If the new Government pulls back on this funding all of those organisations who have spent time effort and money on these bids, well, quite frankly it doesn’t bear thinking about.
“I just hope that we are able to realise that funding and develop these opportunities,” she said.