Coldharbour Mill Museum to receive 96,115 from second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund - Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum

By: Marketing
Added: 08 April 2022

• Coldharbour Mill Museum among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund 
• This award will fund Coldharbour Mills reopening costs and secure this Nationally significant Heritage sites future, allowing the Charity to adapt to a new business model and improve the accessibility and the visitor experience.  

Coldharbour Mill Museum in Uffculme has received a grant of £96,115 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, in addition to the £230k received from this fund in the first round to help the organisation recover and reopen.

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Coldharbour Mill Museum in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

This award will secure the recovery of the Mill following the pandemic until we can fully re-open on the 31st May, the award also allows for the Mill to develop a sustainable business model going forward, allowing better use of resources and space to improve the visitors experience.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

“Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.
Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”

Martin Halse Coldharbour Mill’s Chief Executive, said:

“The Cultural Recovery Fund has been a lifeline to Heritage sites such as Coldharbour Mill in the last year, this latest award will enable Coldharbour Mill to reopen and cover costs until visitors return to something like pre-pandemic levels, at the same time the award funds a complete overhaul of the charities business model setting the groundwork for a sustained and resilient recovery and a dynamic future for Coldharbour Mill.”

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:

“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.