Government grants provide heritage lifeline

THE London Transport Museum has received £450,000 from the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to boost its long-term recovery after being closed for 355 days from spring 2020 to May 2021. The museum, which generates 80% of its own income, took a big financial hit when the pandemic forced closure, and now says that visitor numbers have returned to around two-thirds of its pre-pandemic levels. It adds that with international travel and tourism still limited the museum’s long-term recovery remains fragile. Another rail-related recipient is the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, which has been awarded £451,500 under the ‘Emergency Resource Support’ category. The 15in-gauge Cumbrian line described the funding as a ‘lifeline’.