Blackpool Tower Ballroom To Be Restored After Government Grant

The iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom is to be repaired after securing a £764,000 grant from the Government. The grant is part of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which is intended to help arts industries affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The ballroom is world famous thanks to its regular occupancy by hit show Strictly Come Dancing.

The money will be spent on restoring the plaster ceiling decoration in the ballroom. The venue first opened in 1894, and the beautiful ornate plasterwork ceiling also dates back to then. It is hoped the work can be completed during the current Covid-19 lockdown, and the ballroom can re-open to the public at a later date this year.

Strictly Judge Shirley Ballas says that "Blackpool holds a special place in the heart of every ballroom dancer all over the world". She adds: "I am overjoyed to learn of the Government's investment to aid in the restoration of one of Blackpool's historic ballrooms, all of which house the memories and history of the ballroom dance industry."

The funding is specifically from the Heritage Stimulus Fund, provided by the Government and administered by Historic England. It is part of the wider package of the Culture Recovery Fund, which is an emergency relief fund providing grants and loans designed to protect the future of Britain’s theatres, galleries, and other cultural venues.

Duncan Wilson, the Chief Executive of Historic England, commented: “In these challenging times, our shared heritage is more important than ever. This vital funding will allow essential repairs to take place, providing employment for skilled craft workers and ensuring that we preserve this much-loved ballroom for everyone to enjoy, both now and in the future.”

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is one of more than 800 heritage sites and organisations to be awarded a grant during the pandemic, and they will provide a lifeline to venues which are facing one of the biggest financial challenges for a century.

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