UK Government reveals first 135 venues to receive emergency grants

The UK Government has announced the first 135 venues to receive emergency grants amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In July, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a support package worth over £1billion as part of the plans to support the culture industries amid the pandemic, sharing that £270m in loans and £880million in grants would be paid to music venues, theatres, museums, heritage sites and galleries. 

Now, the government has revealed the first group of 135 venues receiving emergency grants from the support package. London’s Corsica and Village Underground will both receive grants from the Culture Recovery Fund, as well as Gorilla and Soup Kitchen in Manchester.

Elsewhere in London, the CLF Art Cafe and Oval Space Holdings, which includes Oval Space, Pickle Factory, and new club Canvas, will benefit from up to £80,000 each to help them cover overhead costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new documentary from Pioneer DJ, entitled Distant Dancefloors, was released earlier this month, and presents a 360-degree view of the economical, psychological and social impact COVID-19 has had on global club culture.