Council receives £163k to help Bedford Corn Exchange and The Higgins

Bedford Borough Council has been awarded £163,943 as part of the Government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) - which will help both Bedford Corn Exchange and The Higgins Bedford.

The council is one of 588 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support – with £76million of investment announced.

This follows £257 million awarded to 1,385 organisations, also from the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Councillor Doug McMurdo, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said, “We welcome the money we have been allocated by the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport. Up and down the country, many sectors are struggling financially and arts and culture is no exception.

“The funding we receive will be used to support our Covid-19 recovery plan for Bedford Corn Exchange and The Higgins Bedford, which have both seen a significant loss of income due to coronavirus. Arts and culture is an important part of the rich heritage of Bedford borough and we are happy that this has been recognised by the government.

“For Bedford Corn Exchange, this funding will help it weather the pressures of coronavirus and come back even stronger, returning when it is possible to do so with a cultural programme of music, comedy, theatre and family entertainment

“For The Higgins Bedford, the funding will ensure the museum is able to keep operating and will remain open to the public, ensuring the safety of both visitors and staff.”