A MAJOR Winchester arts organisation has received a big boost from the Government, it was announced today.

Play to the Crowd, the charity that runs Theatre Royal, Hat Fair and Playmakers, will receive £109,567 from the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Play to the Crowd is among 925 recipients of money to mitigate the ongoing risks of Covid-19 across this winter and ensure they can deliver their Christmas events.

More than £100 million has been awarded to hundreds of cultural organisations across the country including Play to the Crowd in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

The third round of funding will support organisations from all corners of the sector as they deal with ongoing reopening challenges, ensuring they can thrive in better times ahead.

Deryck Newland, chief executive of Play to the Crowd, said today: “We are relieved to receive this latest support which gives us more confidence to press ahead with our plans this winter and to be able to look forward into 2022 and beyond with renewed optimism.

"Eighteen months ago our community literally saved us from going under by supporting our Survival Appeal in such large numbers. It is fantastic that the DCMS and Arts Council clearly recognise how important our activities are to our local community.”

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from.

“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”

Over £1.2 billion has already been awarded from the unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5000 individual organisations and sites across the country ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots music venues to festivals, and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains.

Darren Henley, chief executive, Arts Council England, said: “This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health. It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives”.