Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, has expressed her delight that English Heritage has been awarded £4,200,000 for its work on Berwick Barracks.
The funding is from the Government's £48million Cultural Development Fund, which aims to give people access to arts and culture in areas with "historically low levels of cultural engagement and boost economic growth".
The funding will enable English Heritage to turn Berwick Barracks into a year-round cultural venue with refurbished gallery and cinema spaces, as part of their Living Barracks project.
Anne-Marie, who wrote in support of the funding bid said:
"I know how important the Living Barracks project is for Berwick and the wider area. Not only will this money help to preserve Berwick’s history, it will also create new uses for currently empty buildings, and create a vibrant new hub for the town. It will no doubt be a huge draw for tourists and sustain many new jobs for the town.
"This huge injection of Government funding is very welcome indeed and is a huge vote of confidence in Berwick and the town’s future.”
Kate Mavor, chief executive at English Heritage, which manages Berwick Barracks, said:
"This major grant will help to breathe life into Berwick Barracks, unlocking and bringing back into use empty buildings and spaces within this immense site, right in the heart of Berwick town. Our Living Barracks project is incredibly exciting – saving an important historic site, providing badly needed employment and investment, and creating a new cultural, residential and commercial space for Berwick.
"All the partners involved in delivering this project are delighted at this resounding vote of confidence in it and we’d like to thank the Government for its support."
You can read more about the project on the English Heritage website HERE.
Attached below is an information booklet for the scheme.