Today (11 December) it was confirmed that Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust has been awarded a £2.9 million grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.
The funding, awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), will help offset the significant impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the Park and Palace.
The Government grant will fund vital costs to enable the Trust to continue to maintain the listed Palace and 196 acre Park. It will also enable the organisation to continue to deliver our packed programme of cultural events and creative learning activities that support some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
In a normal year Alexandra Palace, which is one of the country’s largest independent event venues, delivers over 250 events, provides more than 20,000 work opportunities and contributes nearly £170m to the wider economy.
Louise Stewart, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, CEO says: “We are hugely grateful to the NLHF, Historic England and DCMS for their critical support at a time when organisations such ourselves are facing overwhelming financial challenges due to the impact of the pandemic. We’d also like to thank all those in the heritage and cultural sectors who have worked with the Government to make this funding available.
“Over the past 140 years Alexandra Palace has been home to some of the most iconic moments in modern entertainment history. The grant, together with support from Haringey Council and donations from the public, means that we can continue this legacy. It will ensure that these unique heritage assets, the Palace and Park, are cared for and we can deliver more experiences that entertain, inspire and educate, as well as providing crucial employment opportunities and economic benefit to our community. Over the last nine months we’ve worked non-stop to make sure we can open the doors safely and keep the parkland well maintained to provide vital green space. There are many challenges ahead, but for now at least, thanks to this funding, we have some time and resource to deliver our route to recovery.”
Ros Kerslake, CEO of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “Alexandra Palace is a jewel in the crown of London’s heritage, with commanding views over the city, important parkland and the National Lottery-funded Victorian theatre. Like so many organisations that rely on visitor income from events, from snooker to summer festivals, the Trust was facing a perilous future due to the COVID-19 crisis. The leadership and the team at Ally Pally have done an amazing job in recent years creating a sustainable and important cultural destination serving some of London’s most deprived communities in the borough of Haringey. We are delighted to be part of helping them to survive and thrive through this difficult time.”
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “Alexandra Palace has continued to reinvent itself as “the people’s palace”, despite many setbacks. Thanks to this funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund, it will continue to shine as a beacon of hope, providing employment and entertainment, as well as a green lung for the local community in the tranquillity of its surrounding park. Throughout the challenges of the past year, Ally Pally has continued to adapt, and prove that this iconic historic building has an important part to play in today’s world.”
Heritage Minister, Nigel Huddleston, said: “Alexandra Palace is a cultural icon in London and has allowed us to witness so many legendary moments over the years. I am delighted that we have been able to support the site through our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund so it may continue to make history for years to come.”
Award winning broadcaster, local resident and long-time Ally Pally supporter Lauren Laverne said: “This is such fantastic news. Ally Pally is so many things – an iconic music and arts venue, a vital hub for sport and cultural events and a beautiful green space with parkland the whole community can enjoy. Knowing its doors can stay open and that the music will play on is just wonderful.’”
Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Chief Executive Matt Porter said: “We’ve staged the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace since 2007 and the venue is both the perfect home for us and now synonymous with the event globally. Whilst the West Hall is the focus of the on-stage action, Alexandra Palace’s other facilities enable us to deliver a world-class event experience to tens of thousands of fans annually and also host broadcast partners, sponsors and media. We’re pleased to see Alexandra Palace receive grant funding, which is a boost for them just before this year’s World Championship begins on December 15.”
To find out more about the range of upcoming events and activities in 2020 and 2021 at Alexandra Palace visit our What’s On pages.