Wellington’s Wellesley Cinema is one of six cinemas in the county to have received support from the Culture Recovery Fund. The Wellesley – which opened in 1937 – was awarded £69,200 of the £300,000 fund. It is only one of three almost identical art deco buildings designed by Edward de Wilde Holding still in use as a cinema.
The grants are awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute (BFI) on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to support major refurbishment and restoration projects as well as cinemas that have had to remain closed during the pandemic.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted this funding from the Culture Recovery Fund will ensure that these exciting projects will go ahead.”
The Wellesley is owned by Wellington Arts Association through the Wellington Theatre Trust. It is leased to Merlin Cinemas which operates seventeen other cinemas around the UK. Merlin Cinema’s Alex Jones said, “Myself and the directors are having a zoom meeting following the government briefing. The cinema is safe but we can’t reopen until films are released again, even if the government allows cinemas to come back from May 17th as is hoped.”
Responding to the news of the grant for the cinema, Matt Redstone, a Trustee of Wellington Arts Association, said, “Whilst we are not privy to the details of any grants awarded to Merlin Cinemas, we obviously welcome anything that helps to sustain their business through what has been a truly devastating time for the whole entertainment industry. The Wellesley is a great asset to our town and we look forward to seeing it reopen when the time is right.”