£645,000 boost for cinema and arts centre expansion
SCREENS AND BIGGER GALLERY DELAYED BY PANDEMIC
Covid-19 has caused delays and disruptions to the project, but we remain committed to making Phoenix 2020 happen and have the continued support of our stakeholders and funders.
PLANS to revamp and expand Leicester’s Phoenix cinema and arts centre have received a huge boost.
The government is giving the venue, in the city’s Cultural Quarter, a £645,586 grant towards its plan to double the number of screens to four, and create a larger bar and cafe, a roof terrace and a bigger art gallery.
It follows an earlier award of £4 million of lottery cash from The Arts Council towards the scheme, known as Phoenix 2020.
Phoenix bosses had originally hoped to complete the project this year but, like most cultural attractions, it has been badly affected by the pandemic, with lockdowns and tier restrictions meaning it has only been able to open for 29 days since March.
Bosses said this has had a big impact on the people who visit the Phoenix, as well as artists, filmmakers and the many small businesses that supply the charity.
Phoenix chief executive John Rance said: “We are working with our architects and construction partners to develop the final plans and costings for Phoenix 2020, while continuing our fund-raising efforts. Covid-19 has caused delays and disruptions to the project, but we remain committed to making Phoenix 2020 happen and have the continued support of our stakeholders and funders.
“The award of the funding means the project is much more likely to go ahead.
“We have been heartened by the many hundreds of individual donations we have received from our customers, as well as public funding from Arts Council England.”
Area director for Arts Council England Peter Knott said: “Arts and culture play a vital role in making Leicester a great place to live, work, study and visit, so we’re pleased to be supporting the Phoenix as it continues an ambitious project to expand its space, add new cinema screens and create a more prominent digital art gallery.
“Our capital grants programme provides organisations with vital funding to ensure they have the right buildings and equipment to help them become more sustainable and innovative places, as they deliver exciting work to the public.
“The pandemic has led to increasing costs and time delays to many projects, so we’re delighted to offer additional funding to make sure these projects are completed, reopened and of benefit to all.”