CREWE'S Lyceum Theatre has received a £231,387 windfall as part of the government's bale out of the country's hard-hit cultural sector.

The Cultural Recovery Fund, set up by the Department of Media, Culture & Sport's (DCMS), is to pump £1.57bn into theatres and arts venues, most still shut and without income streams throughout the pandemic.

The fund, makes urgent support available for cultural organisations that were financially stable before the COVID-19 pandemic. Money has been provided from central government via the DCMS - and the fund was administered by Arts Council England.

A total of 1,385 organisations around the UK will benefit from grant awards announced today.

In line with other venues and cultural buildings Crewe Lyceum has remained closed since March as a result of government restrictions.

Most of the Lyceum's staff have been furloughed and performances are suspended through until January 31 next year.

Opportunities to re-open parts of the building or to plan socially distant performances are being kept under review, but while socially-distanced performances are now permitted under current guidelines most theatres, concert halls and live entertainment venues are finding it impossible to reopen whilst social distancing remain in place.

Adam Knight, Theatre Director at Crewe Lyceum said: "We're delighted to receive this funding which will play a vital role in supporting the Lyceum through this very difficult period.

"The money provided today will help us to meet the costs of maintaining the building through the closure period and will stabilise our position at a time when no trading income is available to us.

"It will help to support our dedicated and skilled team. We are grateful that the DCMS has recognised the important contribution we make and would also like to thank our local authority partners who have been helpful and supportive throughout."

The theatre director added: "Like all cultural venues, we believe we have an important role to play in supporting the wider recovery. Crewe Lyceum is more than a theatre, it is an invaluable hub for creatives and communities to participate in and engage with arts and culture in Cheshire East.

"We have a critical part to play in realising the regeneration framework for Crewe with the economic impact of our usual activities stretching far and wide; sustaining businesses and raising aspirations across the local area.

"Crucially, this money is provided to assist us through to reopening when the situation improves – and we can't wait to be able to welcome back our wonderful audiences when we are able to do so."

Cheshire East Council has welcomed the grant package and Cllr Nick Mannion, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regeneration, said: "The Lyceum Theatre is a vital part of the economic vitality and cultural life of Crewe and the wider area, it is missed greatly during this pandemic.

"This funding will be essential to enabling the theatre's eventual reopening, enabling audiences to delight once more in what this wonderful theatre has to offer."

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan raised the theatre's plight in Parliament in recent months and he said: "This is fantastic news for Crewe and the whole area. The Lyceum team and the shows, plays and events they put on have actually been a lifeline for the town centre economy in recent years.

"It has been incredibly difficult for the staff and they have battled through and I am glad we now have been able to secure them this lifeline of their own. I know everyone locally is going to be really pleased to know their theatre isn't going anywhere."