Robin 2 receives crucial Government crisis funding
Bilston's Robin 2 has become the latest venue in the region to receive crucial funding to designed to help it survive the coronavirus pandemic.
The famous venue has been awarded £115,000 as part of the Government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund aimed as keeping places which have had to close their doors afloat.
Gorgeous nightclub in Wolverhampton has also been handed £50,000.
It follows grants for other arts and music centres, including the Newhampton Arts Centre and Arena Theatre in the city.
The owner of the Robin 2, Fraser Tranter, warned in September it was on the brink of disaster so the cash will be crucial in helping to keep it running.
The Riverrooms and Claptrap the Venue, both in Stourbridge, have also received £57,000 and £79,000 respectively.
The Black Country Dance Hub in Walsall and Black Country Touring, based in West Bromwich, will get £50,000 each.
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The latest round of funding announcements follows pressure on the Government to provide emergency funding for the arts, theatre and music sector during a time of a crisis.
It was revealed earlier this week arts in the West Midlands had received the lowest grant support in the country.
Peter Knott, area director, Arts Council England said: “We’re delighted the Culture Recovery Fund has enabled support for a wide range of arts and cultural sector companies across Birmingham and the Black Country.
"This latest set of awards builds on those announced recently and will help hundreds of organisations to survive the next few months, ensuring that the cultural sector can bounce back after the crisis.
“The Government’s package is hugely welcome, providing much of the sector with resources to remain in business through to the spring.
"Well-loved community projects, theatres, galleries, museums, clubs, music venues, festivals, key cultural suppliers along with other creative spaces and projects have benefited. This is welcome news not only for those in receipt of the funding but also for communities in villages, towns and cities across the Midlands where this matters so much."
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This is more vital funding to protect cultural gems across the country, save jobs and prepare the arts to bounce back. Through Arts Council England we are delivering the biggest ever investment in the arts in record time. Hundreds of millions of pounds are already making their way to thousands of organisations.
“These awards build on our commitment to be here for culture in every part of the country.”
