U.K. VENUES HANDED MORE CASH

Several owners of iconic venues in the U.K. have received funding from the British government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, which will help secure the future of London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and Omeara.

In total, £18m will be distributed among eight organizations, with grants ranging from £1m to £3m.

The Academy Music Group has been given £2.98m to help save its 20 venues across the U.K., including Shepherd’s Bush Empire and the O2 Forum Kentish Town, as well as venues in Birmingham, Bristol and Bournemouth.

Ben Lovett’s Venue Group, which operates Omeara, Lafayette and The Social in London, will receive £2.36m, while Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club owner Palmglen has been awarded £1.27m. Sheffield City Trust, which operates the FlyDSA Arena and City Hall, has been given £2.24m.

In total, the Arts Council has doled out £427m to venues, theaters, museums and other cultural organizations so far from the British government, with more investment to come.