Theatre bosses give cautious welcome to government rescue package
Theatre bosses across our region have welcomed a government rescue package of more than £1.5bn for arts organisations.After campaigning that has intensified over the past few weeks, the government has announced a £1.57 billion rescue package for culture, arts and heritage organisations in Britain, including theatres, independent cinemas, museums and the live music sector.
With warnings that without more government support, around 70% of theatres were facing closure by Christmas, the package includes a mixture of loans and grants and is been billed as the biggest ever one-off investment in UK culture.
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In a statement, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
While the funding is aimed at keeping organisations afloat, the government says it is continuing to work on guidance for a phased return of the performing arts sector.
Theatre chiefs in the Anglia regionwelcomed the news.
But with the details yet to come on how the funds will be shared out, the boss of one theatre which is facing possible redundancies of more than 100, said he hoped regional cities would also be recognised.
Stephen Crocker from the Theatre Royal Norwich, said while he was hugely grateful to the government, theatres still need a detailed re-opening plan for their long-term survival.