Grant to help Brooklands Museum

The Brooklands Museum, home to an important collection of period racing cars, has received £950,000 pounds in a lifeline grant from the Government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund.

Brooklands Museum received the money to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The museum is one of 1385 organisations across the

UK to receive the funding.

Based on the site of the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, the museum recalls the heyday of pre-war motorsport and aviation, including cars, planes and historic buildings.

The museum continues to face financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the next six months will be difficult during winter and the uncertain lockdown restrictions. The funding has been awarded to cover projected losses until spring 2021 and to provide a cash reserve to cover up to eight weeks’ running costs.

Director and CEO Tamalie Newbery said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this funding. Brooklands is an award-winning museum and now we will be able to remain open to visitors and carry on our work preserving the Brooklands site and collection.

“As an independent charity, income from visitors has always been our main source of funds, so the COVID epidemic has been very tough.

“However, we have been delighted by the public’s response since we reopened in August and this grant means that throughout this winter and beyond, people will be able to continue coming here and discovering the inspiring stories of what people accomplished here.”