AFTER a year of financial uncertainty in the wake of Covid-19, Salisbury's biggest nightclub is set to receive £190,000.

The pot of money, awarded from the Government's £1.57 billion culture recovery fund, means The Chapel Nightclub can now look ahead to its future as a creative hub, while planning its recovery and reopening.

Managing director Amanda Newbery had previously told the Journal the return of the nighttime venue would be "a miracle", as further support and clarity from the Government was needed.

Now she says the team is still "processing the incredible news", and she has thanked the artists and supporters that had backed the nightclub throughout the last 12 months.

This was the fourth time the business had applied for a culture recovery grant, which has been closed throughout the entire pandemic.

Amanda said: "We are still processing this incredible news that, at the last hour, we have been awarded this grant. 

"We have applied before and been unsuccessful and we are so incredibly grateful that the arts council has now recognised the value of our offer to our community. 

"We were stunned that so many artists, some who have started their career with us, wrote in to support our bid.

"Also, the incredible letters of support from local arts organisations and people who have been working with The Chapel team over the past 25 years, using the venue for no cost and collaborating with the in house technical team to promote their talent or to raise vital funds."

The nightclub has taken a hit over the last few years, firstly from the impact of Novichok and now the virus pandemic and subsequent debt, but Amanda has stressed The Chapel is a site at the heart of the community.

She added: "We have always wanted the people of Salisbury to know that this venue is for them and we are so humbled by the response we have had in our hour of need.

"We are truly grateful that we can now plan for the future."

During the lockdown The Chapel has undergone works including roof repairs so it can reopen and operate safely.

Based on the Prime Minister's lockdown roadmap, nightclubs could potentially reopen from June 21.

Sir Nicholas Serota, chairman of Arts Council England, said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic.

"These grants will help to reopen theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.

"We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

Other organisations in Salisbury have also received culture recovery funding including Wiltshire Creative - reports to follow.

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