Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown has welcomed a £437,447 funding boost that will support cultural and heritage sites in The Cotswolds.

The Cotswold MP has welcomed the announcement to support iconic cultural and heritage organisations and independent cinemas as they reopen and recover from coronavirus.

This is part of the £400 million in grants and loans being delivered to over 2,700 organisations across England, to help cultural and heritage organisations reopen and thrive in the times ahead.

The recipients of the grants in the Cotswolds include; The Holfords of Westonbirt Trust, Chavenage House Partnership, Parochial Church Council of Cirencester with Watermoor and St Lawrence, Court Barn, Fretwork, Corinium Museum, La Serenissima and The Barn Theatre Project.

Sir Geoffrey said: “The past year has had a devastating impact on cultural and heritage organisations in The Cotswolds, so it is fantastic news that £437,447 is being provided to support these most valued organisations.

“Back in October 2020 I welcomed the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund Grants programme that provided two grants worth £470,521 million to The Barn Theatre Project and the Corinium Museum.

“The Cotswolds has fantastic history, culture, and green spaces which must be supported and I have fought throughout lockdown for them to receive the funding they need to survive.

“I’m really excited that as the economy begins to reopen, we’ll soon be able to enjoy these extraordinary institutions once again, and I’m delighted that the support is being put in place to help them thrive in the future.”

Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary, added: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced.

“Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”