ONE of Shropshire's premier venues has been given a huge boost by more than half-a-million pounds from government funding.

Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury has received a grant of £532,978 from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Theatre Severn in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund.

Mark Barrow, Shropshire Council’s executive director of place and enterprise, said they were thrilled to receive funding from the fund.

He added: “Staff at Theatre Severn have worked tremendously hard to find new ways to bring the theatre to audiences and to bolster the pandemic support effort in the county, with the venue recently becoming a walk-in rapid Lateral Flow Tests centre.

“Despite best efforts, theatres and the wider cultural sector, like so many others, have been hugely impacted by the pandemic and have had revenue streams slashed.

"We are incredibly grateful in receiving grant funding to support the recovery of Theatre Severn, and to enable us to explore an exciting programme of events for people of all ages in the months ahead and give everyone something positive to look forward to.”

The grant will support Theatre Severn during a period of recovery in the months ahead, and will enable the venue to pursue plans for an exciting summer season of events for all ages, including outdoor events at Shrewsbury Castle and participatory activities for children and young people.

Theatre Severn currently plans to reopen from the earliest Monday, May 17, initially with a programme of film screenings and selected live events where appropriate social distancing and reduced capacities will be in operation until restrictions can be lifted further.

More than £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

For more head to www.theatresevern.co.uk