Suffolk organisations, including Red Rose Chain and Out Loud Music CIC, boosted by third round of Government's Culture Recovery Fund

Eleven Suffolk organisations are set to receive a boost from the third round of the Government's Culture Recovery Fund.

The fund, set up to support theatres, arts organisations and local venues through the pandemic, will see £1,081,714 awarded to the chosen recipients to provide emergency protection through the winter period.

Among the chosen 11 is Red Rose Chain, an independent theatre company which will be receiving £97,487, and Out Loud Music CIC, who run The Smokehouse, a live music venue in Ipswich and who will be handed £34,410.

Other locations who will be given funding include Beccles Public Hall, The Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe and the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft.

The Regal Stowmarket will also be awarded £58,154 to enable it to continue with its plans since it re-opened in May.

David Marsh, Events and Theatre Manager, Regal Stowmarket said: "Our much appreciated ongoing support from the Culture Recovery Fund has allowed us to continue to grow our cinema offering to the area.

"The additional safeguarding measures it afforded us to put in place have helped give our community the confidence to return to our cinema and in turn support many of our neighbouring hospitality businesses. We thank the BFI & DCMS for their valued support during this period."

Arts Council England has also been working on two other funding programmes - Continuity Support grants and Emergency Resource Support.

£1,053,714 in Continuity Support grants will be awarded to 10 previous Culture Recovery Fund recipients in Suffolk, helping organisations survive and allowing them to resume programmes and events.

Joe Bailey, CEO of Out Loud Music said: “Out Loud Music are really pleased to have received funding via Arts Council England and DCMS for the Culture Recovery Fund.

"Without this, we would really struggle to continue our unique work in Ipswich, providing original live music performance, opportunities for volunteering, and paid work within our organisation.

"Coming off the back of Sound City Ipswich in October, it was essential to keep up the momentum bringing culture and music back to our town and this grant means we can plan and program into the new year ensuring local artists, up and coming bands and established artists can come to our venues and enrich local life.

"Our team of volunteers, freelancers, and core staff will have security and know that they are not just valued by us but also by our community and funders.

"We look forward to our winter schedule and our plans for the new year.”

Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director, Arts Council England said: “Thanks to the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, we’re pleased to be supporting some of the organisations that help make up the East of England’s vibrant cultural and creative scene.

“From Norwich to Felixstowe, and from Cambridge to Colchester, we’ve already seen how funding has helped our local art centres, theatres and other cultural organisations survive through the pandemic.

"With these latest awards, organisations which are at the very heart of our communities can continue to adjust to this new landscape – so audiences from all backgrounds can get back to making the most of everything that they have to offer.”

Outside of Suffolk, Colchester's The Mercury Theatre, Norwich Puppet Theatre and Norfolk Museums Service will also be receiving grants.

Fifty-eight grants will be given to organisations in the East of England as a whole.

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