Aid for Covid-hit cinema in Wigan

Cash from the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund has been allocated to 202 cinemas so far by the British Film Institute (BFI) to help them during the pandemic.

A grant of £7,863 has been given to the Empire multiplex at Robin Park to help meet the immediate costs of implementing Covid-secure measures to protect staff and audiences.

More grant applications from independent cinemas are being assessed, with picture houses able to apply for £14m in the new year in the second round of the recovery fund. This is on top of the £30m already being allocated by the BFI.

Recognising that cinemas need content, the Government’s Film and TV Production Restart Scheme has helped keep the cameras rolling at the other end of the screen supply chain.

The £500m scheme, which opened for applications in October, has assured nearly 100 productions of support if future losses are incurred due to Covid-19 and provided the confidence they need to restart filming.

The scheme’s scope has been extended so cast and crew over the age of 70 can be included in the cover provided.

The deadline for productions to register has been extended to April, giving more film and high-end TV projects the security to start shooting in the spring.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “As a Star Wars fan, I know there’s no better place to experience great films than in your local cinema and these grants will provide vital support for independent venues through Christmas and beyond.

“Our Restart Scheme has already helped to get nearly 100 film and TV productions back up and running as part of our Plan for Jobs, and it’s right that we extend this to support even more jobs in the UK’s creative industries, including for the over 70s.”

BFI chief executive Ben Roberts said: “Local independent cinemas are hubs and lifelines for communities and often the only form of culture and entertainment. From educational programmes and workshops for young people, to screenings for the elderly and audiences with specialised needs, these cinemas play such an important role in people’s lives.

“The fund will mean that many of these cinemas survive the current crisis, and go on to play a vital role in the recovery of local economies and communities, bringing people together to offer joy, solace and the magic of the big screen.”

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