DORCHESTER'S independent Plaza Cinema is to receive more than £100,000 in grant funding as part of the Government's Culture Recovery Fund to help it survive the Covid-19 pandemic.

The cinema has been awarded £126,458 - allocated by the British Film Institute - to help meet the immediate costs of putting covid-secure measures in place to protect staff and audiences, as well as to protect the cinema's future.

Adam Cunard, managing director at the Dorchester Plaza, said: “The Culture Recovery Fund has enabled Picturedrome cinemas and our teams to continue proudly serving the communities we love.

"Our traditional cinemas will remain the beacon of light and entertainment at the heart of the high street, a comforting glow in what have been challenging times for everyone.

"As MD I would like to thank the team of people I work with, the Government and BFI for supporting Independent cinemas.”

Meanwhile, the Rex cinema in Wareham will also receive £3,707 from the fund.

David Evans, chair of the Purbeck Film Charitable Trust, said: "The Rex has been showing films since 1921 through peacetime and wartime, good times and hard times but has not closed until March 20 this year. We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Culture Recovery Fund which has helped secure the future of one of the oldest

independent cinemas in the country as it approaches its Centenary year.”

Over 200 independent cinemas across the nation currently stand to benefit from the £30 million pot of funding, which has been allocated on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. It represents part of the biggest ever single investment in this country’s cultural sectors.

More grant applications from independent cinemas are also currently being assessed. Cinemas will be able to apply for another £14 million in grants in the new year as part of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund. The new round of funding is in addition to the £30m already being allocated by the BFI.

Recognising that cinemas need content, during this crisis, the Government’s Film and TV Production Restart Scheme has also helped keep the cameras rolling at the other end of the screen supply chain.

The £500m scheme, which opened for applications in October, has assured nearly 100 productions that they will be supported if future losses are incurred due to Covid-19 and provided the confidence they need to restart filming.

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