Cinemas across England to share £650,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas

Forty two independent cinemas from across England have received a cash boost from the UK government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, in the first awards made by the British Film Institute (BFI) to support England’s screen sector, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced today.

The first tranche of money from the £30 million pot is being allocated by the BFI on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), it will support cinemas across England from the Jam Jar Cinema in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, down to Devon’s Totnes Cinema.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

"We all enjoyed the escapism of a good film during lockdown, but nothing beats the experience of the big screen. This first wave of emergency funding will help dozens of independent cinemas around the country, preserving their unique character and history for future generations.

"Our Film and TV Restart Scheme will keep cameras rolling on British-made film and TV - protecting jobs, boosting this hugely important industry and giving us more great content to enjoy.

"But now we need the public to pay their part too. So I urge everyone to get booking your seats and support your local cinema.

This important cash boost of more than £650,000 will help independent cinemas - the cultural organisation closest to home for so many people - weather the storm of the coronavirus pandemic."

According to a statement released by the government, this cash boost of more than £650,000 will help independent cinemas - the cultural organisation closest to home for so many people - weather the storm of the coronavirus pandemic.