Delight as Corby cinema gets another six-figure funding boost

Corby s Savoy Cinema has been handed another huge funding boost in the second round of a £1.57bn fund to help the culture sector through the coronavirus crisis.

Like cinemas around the country, the Parkland Gateway moviehouse off George Street has been closed for several months as part of measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Just before Christmas it received a lifeline cash injection of £364,737 through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's Culture Recovery Fund.

And now it's one of ten East Midlands cinemas to be given funding in the second round - receiving £269,614.

Corby Savoy Cinema general manager Ian Bowerman said they were thrilled to have been selected for another wave of funding.

He said: "This support, and that of the previous round, will help to ensure our ability to re-open once we’re allowed to do so and strengthen our economic buoyancy for the future so that we can continue to welcome the people of Corby for years to come.

"According to the government’s Covid restriction roadmap the earliest that cinemas can reopen will be May 17 and so our current plan is based on this.

"We hope therefore to be opening either on this date or shortly thereafter."

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.”

And British Film Institute chief executive Ben Roberts, said: “People have been missing the big screen experience and we know they are looking forward to cinemas being able to reopen from May 17 onwards.

"The Culture Recovery Fund has been a lifeline to survival for local independent cinemas up and down the country, ensuring that they will be able to welcome their audiences back. In bringing the latest films from blockbusters to British films and new discoveries from around the world as well as screen classics, the local ‘cinema paradiso’ is often the only form of culture and entertainment in their area and are vital to their communities.

"We need them back and thanks to the fund screens will soon light up once more.“