HERITAGE organisations in Solihull should act fast to apply for government funding, the borough’s MP has said.
A ‘recovery fund’ for heritage groups is open for applications with £92 million to hand out.
Solihull MP Julian Knight has said he hopes groups in the borough will make an application before the deadline on August 17.
Mr Knight said: “Britain has a long and rich history, and there is scarcely a community in the country which isn’t home to a cherished cultural asset or place of historic interest. We must not allow the pandemic to prevent us preserving these treasures for future generations.
“Conservation is not just about maintaining a physical site, but the network of volunteers – not to mention the skills and expertise – that goes into any successful heritage project.
“The Government has stepped up to make funds available, and I hope that as many local heritage groups as possible will apply for a grant and get the support they need.”
The fund is being run by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, with grants for cultural and heritage organisations to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Charities, businesses and site owners are eligible to receive the grants.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “For many heritage organisations this funding will be the lifeline they have been waiting for and I urge them to apply as soon as possible.
“As the lockdown has lifted, and the public begin to return to some of our much-loved places, the true value of our heritage is more obvious than ever. Heritage is vital in creating economic prosperity, in making local communities better places to live, and in supporting our own personal sense of wellbeing.”
Sir Laurie Magnus, Chairman of Historic England added: “This crucial funding will help the organisations and businesses who look after our locally-cherished historic sites. It is a recognition that investing directly in historic places can bring wide ranging social benefits, inspiring communities to engage with their past and encouraging creativity, regeneration and growth.”
