The National Lottery Heritage Fund is one of several funds to provide an emergency grant of £107m to 925 cultural organisations at risk of closure because of the pandemic and winter periods.

Administered by the NLHF as well as Arts Council England, British Film Institute and Historic England, the fund is intended to support regional theatres, local museums, independent cinemas throughout the winter.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated that the latest round of funding will help local community cultural hotspots remain open so ‘people can have access to and enjoy everything they have to offer’.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Nadine Dorries, commented: “Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from.

“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”

NLHF will grant funds to safeguard the UK’s most ‘precious’ heritage sites and museums. For example, a grant of £566,000 will give Exeter Cathedral the necessary financial support so they can continue to engage the local community through a calendar of activities such as historic costume character tours and festive family nights.

The funding announcement comes at the same time as NLHF is beginning a collaborative research project on the UK’s heritage sector from all different cultural backgrounds.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “This latest round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage has provided much-needed further support for Heritage sites, attractions and organisations as they move forward with their exciting plans to engage, entertain and educate us all.

“The UK’s heritage has faced unprecedented times, and investing in the Heritage sector remains vitally important to driving tourism, supporting our wellbeing and making our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live.”