Rochdale's Reel Cinema awarded £115k from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

Reel Cinema, Rochdale Riverside

Rochdale's Reel Cinema has received funding from the government to help with the impact of Covid-19 when cinemas can reopen in England.

The cinema, located in Rochdale town centre at Riverside Walk, has been awarded £115,385 by the British Film Institute (BFI) as part of the first round of funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to support cultural and heritage organisations in England.

Allocated by the BFI on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, the money awarded to non-profit and independent cinemas is to help them weather the disruption from closure and reduced opening because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In total, 33 cinemas across England will benefit from £5 million awarded by the BFI as the final applications for independent cinemas are processed ahead of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

The total of grants awarded in the first round of funding for the sector is £21million.

This is the second grant awarded to Reel Cinema Rochdale after it received a safety grant in October last year.
 

Read more: Reel Cinema Rochdale receives funding boost for health and safetyPublished: 12 October 2020

KC Suri, Head of Reel Cinemas, said: “It has been very important to us to pursue all opportunities to protect the jobs of every staff member at Reel Cinemas, and to enable the cinemas to reopen, when permitted, to continue to serve our communities. This is why we want to thank the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the BFI who have awarded us this grant from the Culture Recovery Fund.

“This vital funding will enable us to protect job security and to manage our business sustainability at this challenging time.”

Muhammad Faisal, Head of Operations for Reel Cinemas, said: “It’s been very tough on the business yet again, in this current lockdown. So, it’s with grateful hearts we receive this grant to continue on for our team and our communities.”

Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive said: “Across the country, local independent cinemas are lifelines for communities and often the only form of culture and entertainment. As well as bringing people together to enjoy the magic of the big screen, local cinemas are hubs for educational and film activities and provide thousands of jobs. The pandemic has made clear just how important local communities are and the support of the Culture Recovery Fund means that many cinemas will be able to reopen and play a vital role in local economies and regeneration.”