The World of Glass has been handed a huge boost

The venue has been awarded £200,808 as part of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF).

The money will aim to help the centre face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced.

The Star reported earlier this week how grants had also been given to the Theatre Royal and arts organisation the Heart of Glass.

For the past two decades, The World of Glass has been an important part of the St Helens community, entertaining audiences and engaging visitors. 

Bosses received the news of this funding from Arts Council England on the day the World of Glass was preparing to reopen after almost seven months of closure.

They say it will make the future sustainability of the centre, which now houses the new St Helens Library, and its organisation a reality.

World of Glass executive director, Ron Helsby, said: "This is fantastic news at a time when we need to give our visitors confidence in coming to venues like ours.

"It is also encouraging that there is a commitment of support for the heritage, culture and arts sector from central government at times like this and that what we do is seen as an important part of the wellbeing of the nation."

The World of Glass is one of 588 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support – with £76 million of investment announced.

This follows £257 million awarded earlier in the week to 1,385 organisations, also from the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks, the Government added.

What they've said

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This is more vital funding to protect cultural gems across the country, save jobs and prepare the arts to bounce back.

Through Arts Council England we are delivering the biggest ever investment in the arts in record time. Hundreds of millions of pounds are already making their way to thousands of organisations.

“These awards build on our commitment to be here for culture in every part of the country.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said: “Culture is an essential part of life across the country, helping to support people’s wellbeing through creativity and self-expression, bringing communities together, and fuelling our world class creative industries. 

“This latest set of awards from the Culture Recovery Fund builds on those announced recently and will help hundreds of organisations to survive the next few months, ensuring that the cultural sector can bounce back after the crisis.

"We will continue doing everything we can to support artists and cultural and creative organisations, with further funding to be announced in the coming weeks.”