Black Country music firms given 'massive' boost by culture fund cash
Two music firms in the Black Country have welcomed new funding as part of the Government's Culture Recovery Fund.
Red By Night, at Brierley Hill's Waterfront, and Wordsley's Stage Audio Services received almost £400,000 between them.
The Government has handed out more than £390 million through the fund, designed to help the cultural sector recover from the impact of the pandemice.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre was one of the largest beneficiaries, receiving nearly £570,000.
Dudley South MP Mike Wood said the cash would act as a "lifeline" for the area's live music and events industries.
The Conservative MP said: "The money will make a massive difference for a lot of theatres, music venues and events companies, but I am particularly pleased for Red By Night and Stage Audio Services.
"Both businesses are works of passion by their owners and their teams, and their success is important not only to all of the people who work for them directly, but each of them is also key to opportunities available to local musicians, sound technicians and young people interested in the live music industry.
"Although Red By Night is a young business, it had already established itself as one of the leading live music venues in the Black Country when the pandemic struck and is leading the Waterfront’s re-emergence as a great place for a night out.
"Stage Audio Service’s work sustains events ranging from local community functions like the Himley fireworks to international festivals like Glastonbury. I was delighted to support both bids and cannot wait to see these businesses operating again when restrictions are lifted."
Vicki Wilkes, owner of Red By Night, added: "We could not be more grateful for the support we have received from Mike, from Dudley Council and from the Government. Even though there is no doubt that our business is viable in normal times, without this support and other measures such as the furlough scheme, Red By Night would not be able to open again this summer.”
Vicki and her partner Darren said the funds will allow them to stabilise their business’s finances and invest in outdoor capacity ready for eased restrictions due on April 12.
Steve Banbury, operations director at Stage Audio Services – which provides high quality sound systems for large music festivals and events all over Europe – said the award would allow his business to invest in the future with a look to recruiting more younger people into the “behind the scenes” professions that make large-scale music events possible.
