Teddington's Landmark Arts Centre has announced that it has been awarded a grant from the Government's Cultural Recovery Fund. The fund, managed by Arts Council England, is aimed at supporting organisations to balance their books and stay viable until the end of March 2021.

Being successful means that, with no end in sight for the return of normality, the arts centre is now able to plan with greater certainty what it can offer the community over the next five months, with sufficient funds to keep The Landmark viable even with a limited programme.

The Landmark received £125,000 from the government.

Lesley Bossine, centre Manager, commented: "We are absolutely delighted that we have been given this lifeline by the government. However, it is a temporary reprieve and what happens from April we will address nearer the time. If the current restrictions continue, we still can't operate a full programme and what we can do is not enough to fully cover our costs, so our need to fundraise continues."

Lesley, added: "However, this is a stark contrast to the position we faced in March when we were looking at winding up in mid-May. That we were able to be around to even apply to the Cultural Recovery Fund has only been possible thanks to the generosity, kindness and active support of our community that has enabled us to keep going thus far."

The Landmark is now actively planning events it can put on for people in the run up to Christmas, including a week of mixed live performances and the Landmark Festive Emporium arts & crafts event, with the hope of providing more next year combined with the ever-popular courses and workshops.

Martin Nicholds, chair of trustees, commented: "We are conscious that whilst we've been successful in getting the grant monies, other arts organisations won't have been. We've all read in the papers about the crisis that so many talented people who work in the arts face and all of us at The Landmark wish them much luck and encourage you to support them in whatever way you can."

The Landmark continues its fundraising effort to save the centre from permanent closure. Under current social distancing regulations, live performances remain difficult financially with a 329-seating capacity reduced to 70. If you are able to donate to the Save The Landmark fundraising campaign, please go to www.landmarkartscentre.org.