Music venue 'shocked' as funding is withdrawn

Steve Macarthur said he was "shocked but not surprised" about the funding cut

Staff at two arts venues say they are "shocked and disappointed" after government funding was slashed.

The government has now withdrawn £5m in funding which the previous administration had promised to Frome's Cheese and Grain venue and Shepton Mallet's Amulet theatre in Somerset.

The government said it would change the way funding was distributed and the venues could apply for funding again in the future.

Steve Macarthur, director at the Frome Cheese and Grain venue, said: "I'm shocked but not surprised."

The Cheese and Grain was hoping to refurbish its space

The Cheese and Grain had planned a refurbishment of its studios and the roll-out of apprenticeships for sound technicians.

"Not too much blood and treasure tipped into this. Nonetheless, it is disappointing and caused delays and increase in costs for young people," Mr Macarthur said.

"There's young people looking for apprenticeships now and this will delay things by a year."

Campaigner Martin Berkeley, who was hoping the Amulet theatre in Shepton Mallet could reopen, said: "It is very disappointing because it would have made a huge difference to Shepton Mallet.

"Because we put so much work into the funding bid, we are in a great position to put our project for the new round of funding.

"All these things take a very long time."

The Amulet theatre in Shepton Mallet is the only cultural institution in the town

Coundillor Federica Smith-Roberts at Somerset Council, said: "I have witnessed first-hand the economic benefits arts and culture draw into an area, as well as the crucial role they play in uniting people, improving health and well-being, and quality of life.

"This is very disappointing news indeed for our communities and the creative industries in Somerset. It appears that once again it's the rural communities that miss out whilst the cities receive the money."

A spokesperson for the ministry for housing, communities and local government said: "This government inherited unfunded commitments to these projects, along with many others, but by making difficult choices we have managed to re-prioritise some funding within extremely tight budgets.

"We have carefully considered the responses to our consultation and chosen projects at an advanced stage that will have the greatest impact on local people and economic growth - this government's number one mission."