HISTORIC England has launched a £2million emergency fund to help tackle the impact of coronavirus on the heritage sector.
Heritage organisations and businesses in the West Midlands that meet the criteria are encouraged to apply.
The aim of the fund is to extend the safety net as far as possible for the sector by helping small heritage organisations both to survive the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic, and to prepare for recovery.
Historic England, which is responsible for protecting and championing the nation’s historic environment, has developed the Covid-19 emergency fund in response to its own survey of heritage organisations. It revealed the serious impact of coronavirus on the sector, particularly on small organisations (ten employees or fewer).
Eight out of ten respondents in the West Midlands reported they had lost business in the short term, while more than half said they had been forced to postpone or cancel income-generating events.
While the impact of coronavirus has been serious, government support schemes are providing assistance, with 90 per cent of businesses in the heritage sector in the West Midlands saying they felt able to keep going in the short term.
But craft workers and professionals such as architects, engineers and surveyors appear to be most vulnerable. Over half of the professional services in the heritage sector in the West Midlands that responded to the survey said they are concerned for their businesses and in need of additional support. While a quarter of craft-workers also said they are concerned for their businesses and in need of additional support.
These small businesses are crucial to the operation of England’s heritage construction sector, which generates an estimated £7.1billion in GVA to the economy. The sector employs 100,000 construction workers (including specialised craftspeople), 6,000 archaeologists and 24,000 architects, engineers and quantity surveyors. They are vital for the maintenance and continued enjoyment of England’s heritage.
Historic England is inviting applications from heritage organisations, self-employed contractors, third-sector organisations and voluntary groups that have been severely affected by the impact of coronavirus and which need additional short-term emergency financial support to ensure their survival.
The organisation will also consider supporting projects and activities that respond to the current crisis and contribute to recovery in the heritage sector.
The fund is designed to complement the measures already put in place by the government, as well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s recently announced £50million emergency fund.
Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s chief executive, said: “We know that coronavirus has hit everyone hard, including the heritage sector, and that there are many individuals and organisations that are really struggling for survival at the moment.
“The safeguarding of their livelihoods will also determine the survival of our most precious heritage. Many of the skills that are needed to protect our heritage are already in desperately short supply and if these skilled specialists go out of business during this difficult time, the hard truth is that some of our heritage will be lost forever.”
Applicants are invited to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to address financial difficulties arising from coronavirus. Grants of £50,000 are also available for projects and activities that reduce risks to heritage by providing information, resources and skills. Existing Historic England grant recipients should get in contact with their individual project contacts to discuss what flexibility they might require at this time.
The deadline for new applications is May 3 and the funding for successful applications will be awarded from mid-May.
To apply and for further information click here