Councils welcome levelling-up arts funding

Redditch town plaza is already part of redevelopment plans in the town, the council said

Two Worcestershire councils will provisionally share a total of £10m in government levelling-up funding to support local culture projects.

The money for Redditch and Worcester was announced as part of the spring Budget on Wednesday.

Worcester City and Redditch Borough councils must now draw up an investment plan to submit to the government after consultation with local organisations.

Officials said the news was " fantastic" and a welcome boost for the arts in both areas.

'Sustain cultural growth'

Since 2019, Worcester has received £46m in capital funding including from the Future High Street Fund, Towns Fund and the Culture Recovery Fund, with £15m being given to Redditch.

The money in Redditch has gone towards a digital, manufacturing and innovation centre, a town centre plaza and further public realm improvements to regenerate the town, with building work under way for some projects, the council said.

In Worcester, the funding has gone towards turning the city's empty railway arches into spaces for creative industries, regenerating Foregate Street and work on the Scala Theatre, Conservative MP for the city Robin Walker said.

He said the latest funding would help sustain the cultural growth.

"This is a huge opportunity for our city to invest and regenerate," he said.

"I look forward to contributing to the city’s bid for further funding for the arts and culture, already a key strength for our city and I hope that, together with local councils, we can deliver projects that make a real difference."

Matt Dormer, leader of Redditch Borough Council, said the news was "another momentous game-changer for our town".

He said that after the previous awards, “Redditch's future is looking bright, and this additional £5m funding means it doesn’t have to stop there".