News

The performing arts venue has been awarded £40,000 by Royal Borough of Greenwich

Our application to Round 3 of the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund has been successful, resulting in a grant of £40,000.

The award, which was supported by all three Blackheath Westcombe Councillors Leo Fletcher, Mariam Lolavar and Geoffrey Brighty, will enable the installation of a new stage lift at cultural landmark Blackheath Halls.

This facility will contribute significantly to accessibility for community engagement participants, professional artists and students with physical access needs, all of whom regularly perform in the building.

The lift is scheduled to be operational within the next year, and will be the most recent addition to a substantial series of upgrades to the historic building, which re-opened after major refurbishment in November 2018.

Director of Blackheath Halls Gemma Okell comments –

“We are keen to make our venue and programme as accessible as possible to ensure that all members of our community can enjoy and take part in a full range of activities. We are therefore delighted to receive this funding to be able to enhance our facilities.”

The Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund uses money from the Community Infrastructure Levy to invest in improving local infrastructure in consultation with the community. So far, over £1.2m has been awarded to 60 projects across three rounds.

Cllr Sarah Merrill, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth said:

“The Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund has now helped 60 community projects like Blackheath Halls to help maintain and improve the vital community activities they provide. Congratulations to all the community projects that have benefitted in Round 3 of funding.”

In response to Covid-19, Blackheath Halls has also recently been awarded almost £27,000 from the City Bridge Trust, through the London Community Response Fund, to support engagement with the local community whilst the venue is closed to the public.

This has enabled the creation of a virtual season of events across August and September including regular Coffee Corners and Singalong Lunchtimes initiatives, a series of Thursday Nights In events presented by Blackheath Halls Patron Nicky Spence, Beyond These Walls for aspiring composers, and a digital community opera venture creating a film that tells the story of Stravinsky’s opera The Rake’s Progress.

Visit the Blackheath Halls website for further details.