New funding is a lifeline for cinemas in Louth and Mablethorpe

Playhouse Cinema in Louth has received over £282,000 in support from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced a £16 million slice will go towards arts and cultural organisations in a bid to support the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has decimated cinemas financially.

The most money granted in Lincolnshire – £282,169 – was to the Playhouse Cinema in Louth, run by Parkway Entertainment Company Ltd.

Kirsty Dobson, Manager at Playhouse Louth said: “The Playhouse will be 99 years old this Christmas, and the contribution from the Culture Recovery Fund towards all of our new safety measures has been brilliant.”

She added: “We’re a traditional cinema dating back to 1920, so knowing that there’s help and support to help us keep the cinema alive and safe is wonderful.”

Elsewhere in our area, the Loewen cinema in Mablethorpe was awarded £19,240.

Marcus Earl, the owner/manager at the Loewen, said: “The support that we received from the Culture Recovery Fund is a much needed life line meaning we can see a  future for cinema. Stepping in to help us literally means we can continue and offer entertainment in Mablethorpe and the surrounding area.”

The three other Lincolnshire cinemas to receive funding are Kinema in the Woods in Woodhall Spa (£139,201), Savoy Boston (£121,313), and Savoy Grantham (£121,313).

Cinemas can apply for a further £14 million in grants from the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

Some 202 cinemas across the country have received funding so far from a £30 million pot allocated by the British Film Institute (BFI), on behalf of DCMS.

In many cases, the fund comprises of a health and safety award (capped at £10,000) and/or a business sustainability award.

Some cinemas which have received health and safety funding may also be in the process of applying for business sustainability awards.

The deadline for productions to register for the scheme has been extended until April 2021.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The magic of film is such an important part of the festive period and this investment will help protect our independent cinemas so they’re around for many Christmases to come.”