The show will go on as Corby's Core theatre gets arts cash lifeline

A Corby theatre that was to celebrate its tenth anniversary has been awarded a funding boost in the wake of its Covid-19 closure.

The Core at Corby Cube had months of shows and cultural activities wiped out by the lockdown and coronavirus restrictions but has been given a slice of a £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund.

Awarded £198,776 as part of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s fund the money will be used to help replace the income lost from more than 100 cancelled shows and events.

Director Joe Flavin said: “We are thrilled and grateful to have received this lifeline funding. This investment will allow us to replace the income lost from more than 100 shows and events we have had to cancel in the 209 days since we closed, and importantly get The Core Covid-safe and ready to welcome audiences and our communities as soon as it is safe and financially sensible to do so."

The venue is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving support. £257m of investment has been announced as part of the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England.

Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Mr Flavin added: “It has been brilliant in the last few weeks to be able to restart our weekly groups for Corby’s young people and announce some exciting new online projects including immersive, virtual reality theatre show Petrichor, that can be experienced at home, and community project We Are Family which runs until January 2021.

"While these are all really exciting baby steps back towards our full programme of activity, this funding, along with the consistent and brilliant support of Corby Council, will allow us to continue to monitor the current changing restrictions and plan steps towards a fuller reopening.”

“We are aware that there is still a long road ahead of us but today’s news is such a positive step. It is testament to the hard work of our small team and board of trustees who are completely committed to ensuring that The Core endures this current crisis and plays an important role as we emerge from the pandemic.

"We should have been holding our tenth birthday celebrations this month – we can’t wait to have a belated party and celebrate with the whole town as soon as we are able.”

Chief executive Jo Gordon added; “While social distancing remains a requirement for theatre spaces, both back and front of house, we have to continue to navigate the financial picture very carefully, and take every step to cost-save until we can start to more confidently generate our own income.

"We also have to ask our audiences for their continued support and patience as we postpone and cancel shows, and ask them to support our upcoming fundraising campaigns.”

For all the latest information on what classes and events are running this autumn, and what shows can be booked for 2021 click here. Other Northamptonshire organisations receiving a grant are: Rushden Historical Transport Society - £31,900; Silverstone Heritage Ltd / The Silverstone Experience - £572,000; The 78 Derngate Northampton Trust - £38,400; The Kelmarsh Trust £263,600; Wicksteed Charitable Trust - £247,000; Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust - £143,100; Northampton Steam Railway Limited - £46,000; Rockingham Castle Estates Award £273,400 and The Conservation Trust at All Saints Aldwincle - £86,204.

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