James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, has welcomed the announcement from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport that Southend is one of 11 local authorities to be included in the Thames Gateway Cultural Development Fund.
The Fund, which is led by the University of Kent, is a £4.3 million government grant aimed to develop a globally-significant creative corridor along the Thames Gateway. It seeks to do this through a programme of cultural research and development, training and mentoring for local organisations, and new arts commissioning.
James said,
"This money is an excellent opportunity for our already great cultural scene to grow even further."
"This is the first investment of its kind, launched as a part of the Government's Creative Industries sector deal and administered by Arts Council England. We are one of only 11 areas who are involved in this scheme which shows the Government's acknowledgement for the potential of Southend as a cultural destination."
"This is an exciting time for our town with the new 2050 plan now being set and further investment in our town. Southend really is the up and coming place to be."
