Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion awarded more than £650K from Culture Recovery Fund

The money is part of the Government’s £1.57 billion package designed to help the UK’s cultural and heritage sectors, which have been badly hit by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The DLWP said back in March, when the national lockdown was imposed, the venue on Bexhill seafront lost half its income overnight.

Support from Arts Council England (ACE), National Lottery Heritage Fund Emergency Funds, Rother District Council, and Eddie Izzard enabled the venue to reopen in July after four months of closure, it said.

The DLWP has now been awarded a total of £657,713 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Stewart Drew, chief executive of the DLWP, said: “Thank you to Arts Council England and DCMS. The grant from the Culture Recovery Fund will ensure that over the next six months we can remain open and rebuild the pavilion after the impact of such a catastrophic event. This award recognises the significant role DLWP plays in the UK’s culture and heritage, and the contribution it makes to its local community.”

Bexhill MP, Huw Merriman, said: “I am delighted that the De La Warr Pavilion has received this £657,713 grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The pavilion is a key arts and culture venue in my constituency of Bexhill and Battle as well as an iconic modernist building. They are also a key local employer and community venue whom I work closely with.

“This grant is absolutely essential to help them through these incredibly difficult times. It’s also well-deserved because they are one of the few arts and theatre venues in the area continuing to hold live performances and events. While others on the coast have remained closed, the De La Warr have put on events to help freelancers and artists to showcase their talent and earn income. As ever, under CEO Stewart Drew’s dynamic and creative leadership, his excellent team has innovated and adapted to make sure that arts and culture can open safely for all to enjoy.”

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