Stoneleigh Abbey receives lifeline grant from Government's Culture Recovery Fund

Stoneleigh Abbey is one of hundreds of heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government.

445 organisations will share £103 million - including Stoneleigh Abbey - to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.

The funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund - funded by Government and administered by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

433 organisations will receive a share of £67 million from the fund for Heritage to help with costs for operating, reopening and recovery.

12 organisations, including English Heritage, Landmark Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and the Canal and River Trust, will receive £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart construction and maintenance on heritage sites.

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has also been awarded a grant.

David Eaves, Stoneleigh Abbey General Manager said: “Stoneleigh Abbey was one of the first stately homes to open its doors to the public, to share its great heritage and this was the way the Leigh family helped maintain their home.

"The house fell into a state of disrepair and never recovered fully from the fire of 1960, which eventually meant that the family had to pass the house to the Stoneleigh Abbey Charitable Trust, where the board of Trustees lead by Tony Bird OBE and Dorothy Ingle have resurrected the Abbey.

"Given the uncertain times created by the Coronavirus, and the lack of income from the weddings and events we usually hold, we are very grateful to the Government for this support, helping us to safeguard the history of the Abbey and keeping the venue safe for us to welcome visitors to experience and learn about the Abbey’s former guests from King Charles I to Queen Victoria and the romantic tales of Jane Austen and her inspirational connection to the house.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive said: “It is heartening to see grants, both large and small, from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund helping heritage sites and organisations across the country which have been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19.

"The funding is an essential lifeline for our heritage and the people who work tirelessly to conserve it for us all, so that we can hand it on to future generations.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is absolutely right that investing in heritage should be a priority during this crisis and this support by Government is crucial.

"Heritage creates jobs and economic prosperity, is a major driver for tourism and makes our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live.

"All of this is so important for our well-being and will be particularly vital when we start to emerge from this incredibly difficult time.

“Our heritage is still facing a perilous future – we are not out of the woods yet.

"But this hugely welcome funding from Government, and the money we continue to invest from the National Lottery, has undoubtedly stopped heritage and the organisations that care for it being permanently lost.”