The Historic Environment Recovery Fund (announced today: £1,916,238 to 40 organisations) was launched in October to help support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19.
Two streaming funds were available, with The Queen’s Hall being granted money under the Reopening Historic Buildings and Sites stream, which offers support to help sites reopen to the public including repairs and PPE equipment and adaptions to facilitate social distancing.
The work to be undertaken will open up the main corridor running from the front of the building through to the bar, widening this space and easing the flow of audiences to and from the auditorium. Toilets will be built with a one-way system in place and separate self-contained cubicles. Accessible and additional new toilet facilities will be situated near the bar area and will provide a much-needed upgrade from the current offering, increasing The Queen’s Hall’s accessibility and capacity for all audience members.
This necessary capital improvement project follows on from the extensive Historic Environment Scotland-led work on the external fabric of the building completed in 2018.
(Nigel Griffiths, Chair of The Queen's Hall Board of Trustees)“As custodians of an A-listed building it is our duty to ensure its longevity and viability for future generations. The pandemic has had a devastating impact across our sector, especially for musicians and freelancers who rely on performance for their livelihood. Alongside much-needed support for loss of income from Creative Scotland, and the Job Retention Scheme allowing us to pay staff, this funding means that The Queen’s Hall can reopen for musicians when restrictions allow, with facilities audiences expect in a venue in the 21st century.
We have played an important role in live music in Edinburgh for over forty years and will continue to provide a much needed and beloved home for Scottish and international artists to showcase their talent. We are grateful to Historic Environment Scotland for their generous support of our vision for the future of The Queen’s Hall.”
(Alex Paterson, Chief Executive, Historic Environment Scotland)“From museums in the Highlands to historic venues and buildings in central Scotland and the Borders, we are pleased to support a diverse range of projects the length and breadth of Scotland as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund. By helping to protect jobs, reopen historic sites and maintaining investment in traditional skills training and apprenticeships, we hope to support the wider recovery of the sector and Scotland’s economy.
“The historic environment sector provides countless benefits to local communities – including providing jobs and generating tourism spend - and it is vital that we support these organisations and ensure their important work can continue as we face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to harness opportunities ahead.”
More information on the fund can be found here from midday on 26 January 2021.