Merlin's Regal cinema in Redruth

Merlin Cinemas is among more than 200 independents from across England being supported with grants from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

202 cinemas have received funding so far from a £30 million pot allocated by the British Film Institute (BFI), on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as part of the biggest ever single investment in this country’s cultural sectors.

Merlin’s operations in Redruth, Bodmin, Helston, Falmouth, St Ives and Penzance have all received £69.2k, while WTW’s screens in Truro, St Austell and Newquay have been awarded £172k.

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 £30 million already being allocated by the BFI.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said: “As a Star Wars fan, I know there’s no better place to experience great films than in your local cinema and these grants will provide vital support for independent venues through Christmas and beyond.

“Our Restart Scheme has already helped to get nearly 100 film and TV productions back up and running as part of our Plan for Jobs, and it’s right that we extend this to support even more jobs in the UK’s creative industries, including for the over 70s.”