The Cheese and Grain must now look for alternative ways to raise £1.7 million for its ambitious expansion project after the government has withdrawn vital Levelling Up funds for the venue.
Last summer, the Cheese and Grain was selected by Somerset Council for a £1.7million central government grant. This was part of a £5million funding programme for northeast Somerset, but the programme has now been withdrawn as part of the government’s spending review.
The venue had planned to use the funds for an expansion project to build between the Cheese and Grain and the Canoe Club to improve facilities.
Venue director Steve Macarthur said that whilst disappointing, the Cheese and Grain will ‘pick itself up and seek the funding elsewhere.’
“Raising £1.7 million may seem daunting, the venue has raised and invested over £1million over the last few years, so yes, ambitious, but not impossible,” explained Steve.
As part of its expansion project, the venue plans to create a large soundproof rehearsal room, editing suites, improve disabled access and bring indoors the currently ‘unsightly’ logistic outdoor area for waste, recycling and deliveries.
The funds would have covered the cost of installing a lift large enough to bring equipment, including grand pianos, into the rehearsal room and the Cheese and Grain’s existing recording studio. The plan also meant the venue would be generating and storing more of its own electricity.
“The [government’s] anti-growth and anti-skills stance is both disappointing and a surprise, as it would have recouped much of this money over a few years from a larger tax take from the venue,” explained Steve.
The project was part of an effort to improve the riverside/car park area and smarten up the riverside wall of the venue. It would also have meant that the venue could create more training opportunities and increase the number of people it employed, especially in technical roles.
“The loss of the grant is in no way the fault of Somerset Council, as the decision was made by central government. Frome Town Council also did all it could to help secure and then later try to save the grant,” added Steve.
Supporting the popular venue, local MP Anna Sabine said, “I am deeply frustrated and saddened that this opportunity has been lost for Frome and East Somerset and that the Labour Government have once again chosen to redirect crucial funds to build growth in other areas of the country, to the detriment of the South West.
“Time and again this government has shown a neglect for Somerset and this comes as another blow for our community. There is so much potential for economic growth around the arts and we are a hub of creativity in Frome. It’s discouraging to see such a lack of support from the government but I have every belief in the Cheese and Grain that they will persevere and continue to grow the local economy via alternative means.”
The leader of Somerset Council, which had been in talks with the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government around the bid for several projects in Somerset, shared disappointment of the withdrawal.
Lead councillor Bill Revans said, “It is disheartening that funds seem to have been diverted to other areas of the country. Somerset Council remains committed to providing support to the cultural sector of the economy of which the Cheese and Grain and other projects involved are such a vital part.”
Steve Macarthur, director of the Cheese and Grain, has thanked and praised local MP Anna Sabine, saying she has become a ‘project champion’ and has been giving her full support.
The Cheese and Grain has already been pursuing alternative methods of funding in anticipation of a possible withdrawal and is being supported by both the MP and Somerset Council.
A planning application, formally backed by Frome Town Council recently, has been submitted for the building work.
Pictured: Artist impression of the expansion project
