Canal trusts benefit from second round of government funding
THE Dudley and Chichester canals are among more than 2700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.
It will enable them both to get their popular boat trips back up and running as restrictions are eased.
Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust received £154,900 which, said chief executive Traci Dix-Williams, would help pay bills, protect jobs, develop the business with some new offers and put in place recommendations made by the consultants it has worked with.
“As we cannot go into the caverns till May, due to them being classed as an indoor venue, we have launched a new Explorer Boat,” she said.
The Chichester Canal Trading Company, the trading arm of the Chichester Ship Canal Trust, received £18,200 which will be used to restart its boat trips on the historic waterway from the city out into the countryside.
Trading director Ian Jackson said: “The boats and the volunteers have been unable to get out on the water since restrictions back in October.
This funding will enable us to get the boats shipshape again and ready for new customers.
“Our volunteer crews will also renew their training and we can start to bring new volunteers into the team.”
After months of closures and cancellations, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations returning to normal in the months ahead.
Announcing the second round of awards, culture secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”