Local venues among those receiving grant
Two venues within the region are set to benefit from emergency grants for the arts.
Claptrap The Venue in Stourbridge and Worleys at the Swan in Stourport-upon-Severn are two of 20 grassroots venues in the Midlands that are set to receive emergency grants.
The grants come from the Government's £1.57 billion support package for the arts, which will be used to cover ongoing costs including rent, utilities, maintenance contracts and other bills.
Claptrap The Venue will receive £18,476, while Worleys at the Swan will be given £34,500.
It follows on from news that indoor performances at music venues are now allowed to go ahead as long as they observe new rules.
Under the Government guidelines, such venues will have to operate at a reduced capacity and limit ticket sales to ensure distancing can be maintained inside.
Worleys at the Swan manager Matt Worley has worked along his partner Mimi Plant to set the venue ready to welcome customers back.
He spoke about his pride at being part of the first 135 venues to gain the funding.
He said: "To say that we're proud to be among the first 135 music venues to be chosen for this funding is most definitely an understatement
"Both Mimi and I have been working relentlessly behind the scenes to try and find a way of bringing the music back to Wyre Forest in a safe and acceptable way.
"To be recognised along side all of these other prestigious venues is an honour and we promise to do our very best to keep Stourport up there with the best of them."
To find out more about the other venues in the region and nationwide which has received grants, go to artscouncil.org.uk/document/emergency-grassroots-music-venues-fund-recipients
