The Bath Preservation Trust has been awarded more than £192,000 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to help it face the challenges of the pandemic and ensure a sustainable future.
No 1 Royal Crescent | Photo © Bath Preservation Trust
The COVID-19 pandemic has been named as the most serious threat to the Trust’s existence since it was founded in 1934, after the financial model it ran under with income from four museums was effectively removed during lockdown.
Along with replacing lost income required for day to day running costs, the latest Culture Recovery Fund grant will be used for a number of initiatives that will help the Bath Preservation Trust (BPT) remain resilient as visitors return, but constrained by social distancing for the foreseeable future.
It will support developing the BPT Membership offer to allow more of those who love the area to engage with it from near or far, and having used an earlier Culture Recovery Fund grant to invest in the offer at No 1 Royal Crescent with a new immersive digital visitor experience, it will allow the museum to prepare to reopen with confidence.
Bath Preservation Trust’s Chief Executive Caroline Kay said: “Once again, we are delighted that this Cultural Recovery Grant recognises the value of heritage to the UK, and that the role BPT plays in the protection and promotion of a UNESCO World Heritage Site is so valued.
“The grant gives us time and money to help us adjust to the new realities of the post-Covid world and we are incredibly grateful for this support.”
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.
“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.”
BPT was successful during the first round of awards from the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, receiving up to more than £825,000 in October 2020.
That grant underpinned ongoing fixed costs, and enabled work to create a new, safe, public experience within the museums in keeping with the requirements of the ‘new normal’.
It also ensured BPT was able to continue using its expertise in support of the City of Bath through its planning and campaigning work.
BPT also received an NHLF Emergency Fund grant in July 2020, which allowed it to re-open No 1 Royal Crescent for the summer under a new reduced model, and to trial other COVID-secure events.
