The Avon Valley Railway has received a grant of £97,400 from the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen. The award will enable the railway’s staff and volunteers to undertake vital repair and maintenance works delayed by the downturn in trade during the pandemic. The funds will also help to ensure the railway’s longer-term sustainability.
Mark Simmons, Avon Valley Railway’s commercial and business manager, said: “We are really pleased to be awarded this funding. The last 12 months have been incredibly difficult for us as we saw a significant reduction in our income throughout 2020. This award means that our staff and volunteers can start to clear the backlog of tasks that had to be put on hold and we can now look forward to the future with more certainty.”
The funding awarded today is from a £400m pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. It has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England as well as the British Film Institute and Arts Council England.