WORCESTER is set to receive a total of £2.3million with the latest round of funding from the levelling-up programme.
In March of last year, the previous Government invited Worcester City Council to submit plans for projects that could benefit from money towards cultural projects.
Following last year’s general election, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the project may be have its funded removed, subject to consultation.
Worcester City Council said it worked hard with its partners to make a case for the funding of each project and the Government has now announced which projects will receive money.
A total of £1.7 million has been allocated towards the conversion of the Corn Exchange to create a new arts and entertainment centre in the city as part of the Scala Worcester project.
An additional £370,000 has been allowed or the creation of new office spaces to support the new art centre.
The Government have also allocated £233,000 to create an outdoor performance space outside the Scala building in Angel Place.
Officials have confirmed that these projects were chosen due to their impact on economic growth.
Other projects, such as a Learning Centre project in the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum will not receive Levelling Up Culture Funding.
Coun Lynn Denham, Worcester City Council Leader said: “I understand that this news will come as a disappointment to those involved with projects which were not awarded levelling-up money.
“We recognise that the Government is in a very difficult financial position, and that tough decisions were made.
“We thank the Government for allowing us to make the case for investment in culture projects in Worcester. I am really pleased as a result, we have been awarded partial funding.
“This additional money allocated by the Government will enable us to provide additional facilities in the Corn Exhange building.”
Worcester MP Tom Collins added: “To have recieved any of this funding at all is a real win for Worcester.
“It has been a huge team effort to save any of this funding and I want to thank everyone involved in making it happen.”
