In February this year, Theo Clarke MP for Stafford hosted the Staffordshire Arts and Culture roundtable with The Orangery Ingestre. This roundtable discussion was with Staffordshire businesses including: Ingestre Hall, Shire Hall, Stafford Castle, the Gatehouse Theatre, Shugborough, the William Salt Library, The White Room Art Studio, Pretty Pots, Guildhall Gallery, Unit 12 Gallery, Sandon Hall, Stafford District Arts Council, Weston Park, Gallery at 12 and the Great British Drive In. During the roundtable, Ms Clarke listened to how local businesses have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and how Ms Clarke can continue to support businesses across the arts and culture sector.
Following the roundtable, Ms Clarke visited The Orangery Ingestre and she was delighted to see their preparations for reopening, as part of step two of the Government’s coronavirus roadmap. Ms Clarke was pleased that following her discussions with Ministers at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport about Stafford businesses, The Orangery Ingestre has been awarded £24,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund.
Theo Clarke MP for Stafford:
“I know that the arts and culture sector has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Having worked in the Arts prior to becoming an MP, I appreciate the importance of cultural venues to our society which is why I hosted the Stafford Arts and Culture roundtable earlier this year in order to see how I could best support businesses operating in this sector.
Having raised Stafford businesses’ concerns with Ministers at DCMS, I am pleased that multiple venues in my Stafford constituency are set to receive money from the Cultural Recovery Fund, including The Orangery Ingestre which I have visited ahead of its reopening next week. I will continue to work to preserve Staffordshire’s cultural heritage and support Stafford businesses.”
Aaron Chetwynd, Chairman of The Orangery Ingestre:
“I am delighted that the Orangery is set to receive funding from the cultural recovery fund. Theo Clarke MP is a great champion of the Arts and Cultural sector in Staffordshire and, following the roundtable she held with us earlier this year, I am pleased that she listened to our concerns and she was able to secure this vital Government funding.”
