The Bath Preservation Trust has been awarded just under £445,000 from the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, to help it face the ongoing challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
No 1 Royal Crescent | Photo © Bath Preservation Trust
Following two previous grants from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage, in October 2020 and April 2021, the latest award will further help the Bath Preservation Trust’s (BPT) four attractions continue to welcome visitors.
Founded in 1934, BPT operates No.1 Royal Crescent, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Beckford’s Tower and the Museum of Bath Architecture.
The Bath area continues to experience reduced visitor numbers from overseas, which has had a significant impact on BPT’s revenue streams.
Maintenance and repair projects to its historic buildings were severely disrupted, an issue made worse by the lack of resources and the fact that the work could not be done during the periods of lockdown.
A programme of work and fresh investment is now underway, with the government grant supporting BPT’s activities in relation to care and preservation of its collections, increasing public engagement and expanding its membership.
After successfully bidding for Cultural Recovery Fund grants in the two previous spending rounds, Bath Preservation Trust used the money to underpin fixed costs and invested in a major new immersive visitor experience.
A mix of digital projections and soundscapes were installed throughout No.1 Royal Crescent, with different rooms ‘coming to life’, as visitors explore the house.
In just five months, since its launch in June, the new visitor experience has helped No.1 to see revenue and audience figures exceed expectations, although they remain some way behind pre-pandemic figures.
The museum is also engaging with more diverse audiences in terms of age and background.
Claire Dixon, Director of Museums said: “We have been very grateful for the support received from the Cultural Recovery Fund and this third grant will make the difference for our organisation, in terms of realising our recovery.
“We find that audience levels remain low in our museums compared to 2019, and there is still a reluctance amongst many to visit indoor places, as well as a very slow return of international visitors.
“We don’t anticipate this changing just yet and being able to cover our core costs and invest in essential aspects of our visitor experience will ensure we are as resilient as we can be.
“This financial support will not just ensure our eventual recovery in 2022, but will also enable us to reposition ourselves to realise growth and prosperity as audiences return, through innovative investment in new visitor experiences and a sustainable business model.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from.
“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, added: “This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health.
“It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives.”
