Darlington Hippodrome receives £1m funding to help lockdown recovery

A North East theatre has announced that it has received £1m in funding to offset losses from cancelled shows.

Darlington Hippodrome has been successful in a bid for £1m from the Arts Council England (ACE) Culture Recovery Fund.

The grant will help Darlington Hippodrome offset losses from cancelled productions, retain jobs, and secure the long-term future of the theatre, as well as supporting the venue’s current programme.

The Hippodrome was forced to close its doors in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but reopened in September with a timetable of socially-distanced events and activities.

Councillor Andy Keir, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for local services, commented: “Arts and culture are of vital importance to the local economy and to the wellbeing of Darlington residents.

“Our much-loved Edwardian theatre, Darlington Hippodrome, is integral to the cultural landscape of the town and the wider region, and we are thrilled that this grant, alongside continued funding from Darlington Borough Council, will help secure its future.”

Heather Tarran-Jones, the Hippodrome’s director of programming and development, said: “We are delighted and relieved to receive news of this grant this morning.

“Our sector has been hit hard by the pandemic and we are very grateful to receive support from central government, administered through ACE, as part of a £1.57bn package to protect the UK’s culture and heritage sectors from the economic impacts of Covid-19.

“I am proud that as a venue we have continued to deliver activity throughout this crisis, first online and, since September, in our beautiful venue.

“This grant will mean that these activities can continue, but we still need the support of the public, and want to thank everyone who has helped us, whether by a donation, a ticket to an event, or a cup of coffee in the Hippo Lounge.”

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