Culture Recovery Fund supports the Picture House

Hebden Royd Town Council are delighted to share the news that Hebden Bridge Picture House are the recipient of two grants from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Culture Recovery Fund, totaling £101,271, as part of the BFI's scheme awarding DCMS money to support independent cinemas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Safety grant of £8,088 enabled the cinema to re-open safely in October 2020, having invested in equipment for the building, PPE and cleaning materials. 

Rebekah Fozard, Manager of the Picture House said: "We have been able to create a welcoming and calm cinema environment where safety will always be our top priority. Whilst we were only able to trade for six days before the second national lockdown took effect, staff and customers alike commented that they feel reassured by the work done to make the big screen experience enjoyable."

In late December, the single screen cinema owned by Hebden Royd Town Council, received the news that they are also to be the recipient of a Business Sustainability award of £93,183, again as part of the DCMS' Culture Recovery Fund. This funding will allow the cinema to cover operating costs over the course of the current financial year for periods of trading and closure alike, and will secure the cinema's future well into 2021, which is Hebden Bridge Picture House's centenary year.

Rebekah Fozard continues: "Once we're able to re-open safely, we will be publishing a full programme of films and events celebrating 100 years of our beloved cinema being at the heart of Hebden Bridge. We thank all of our customers for their support and good wishes during a difficult year and look forward to welcoming you back to the cinema later in 2021."

Added: Friday, 8 January 2021

Photos from Hebden Royd