Corby's much-loved cinema awarded six-figure funding lifeline

A county cinema has been awarded the largest amount of a moviehouse funding support in the East and West Midlands to see it through the Covid crisis.

Corby's independently-owned Savoy Cinemas Corby Ltd has been awarded £364,737 through the Culture Recovery Fund.

The support package for independent cinemas this Christmas has reached £16m with grants awarded to 202 cinemas across England.

Allocated by the British Film Institute (BFI), the majority (78 per cent) of the grant funding to date has been awarded to cinemas outside London.

Ian Bowerman, Savoy Corby general manager, said: “We are delighted to be supported by the Culture Recovery Fund at such a challenging time for the cinema industry.

"Their support has helped us to plan for the foreseeable future, by providing an element of financial stability to the facility thus enabling us to remain open when legally permitted and to retain rather than lose staff.

"The cinema in Corby was eagerly awaited by its residents, and has been a popular addition to Corby’s entertainment offering. The Culture Recovery Funds involvement and support will ensure this facility continues to be an important feature for the town."

Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive, added: “Across the country, local independent cinemas are hubs and lifelines for communities and often the only form of culture and entertainment.

"From educational programmes and workshops for young people, to screenings for the elderly and audiences with specialised needs, these cinemas play such an important role in people’s lives.

"The Culture Recovery Fund will mean that many of these cinemas survive the current crisis, and go on to play a vital role in the recovery of local economies and communities, bringing people together to offer joy, solace and the magic of the big screen.”

The Forum Cinema in Northampton was also awarded £39,832 in the same round. Cinemas will be able to apply for a further £14m in grants from the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.