The Great Central Railway has announced that they have received £515,700 from the UK Government's Culture Recovery Fund.
The money will go towards the costs of reopening the railway following months of closure following the full national lockdown due to COVID-19.
Work the railway has carried out includes essential track and infrastructure maintenance, to implement COVID-19 social distancing and other safety measures.
About the Culture Recovery Fund
Set up and funded by the UK Government, the Culture Recovery Fund provides financial support to thousands of businesses and organisations across the UK to help survive and recover from the effects of COVID-19.
Almost 4,000 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations have received funds to date.
April 2021 has seen the second round of payouts made, with this support more aimed towards helping business prepare for reopening in Spring and Summer 2021, in GCR's case preparing locomotives, carriages and stations for passengers to return.
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced. Now we're staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Great Central Railway PLC's Managing Director, Michael Gough, said: “I cannot emphasise enough how much of a shot in the arm this is for us at such an incredibly difficult time. Whilst we have successfully navigated the crisis thus far, the impact of Covid-19 has dealt the Railway a £3 million income-reduction-blow in the last 12 months, and this grant will significantly assist in the funding of actions we need to carry out to re-open Covid-secure and in-line with government guidance. It will support us in the complex process of transitioning from months of lockdown and significant restriction and to return to the previous sustainable business model of welcoming over 110,000 visitors each year through our doors.”
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As with most other Successfully Recovering Heritage Railways across the Beatifully Historic British Isles…. Now even the Glorious Great Central Railway (at Loghborough, in Leicestershire), have been Aided, let alone Rewarded… All Thanks (once again) to the Cultural Recovey Fund.
The Great Central Railway (along with the other, Great Central Railway – Nottingham) are among the Greatest & Well-Preserved ex-Cross Country Mainline (Heritage) Railways I have ever Pleasently Discovered, & Eagerly Hope to Visit ‘in-person’ someday… even for A Steam (or Heritage Diesel) Train Journeying Ride up & down the line.
I also do hope this’ll also help with its Project of hopefully succeeding, in Crossing the Midland Mainline, let alone reconnect with the other GCR-N en-route.
Well Done to the Great Central Railway, by the way.