Cultural Investment Fund £3.5m success for Torbay’s culture and heritage

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Arts Council England, are working together to deliver the Cultural Investment Fund which comprises three strands - the Cultural Development Fund (CDF), Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), and Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF).

Having reviewed the criteria and options, Torbay Council submitted expressions of interest to CDF and MEND, which were then invited to progress to full application last autumn. We are exceptionally pleased that Torbay has been successful in both competitive programmes, securing investment of almost £3.5 million.

The news of this funding follows the recent announcement by the DCMS and Arts Council that Torbay is to be included on the list of Levelling Up for Culture places. You can read more about that here.

Torbay’s Cultural Development - Paignton Picture House

This is a transformative programme of work in collaboration with Paignton Picture House Trust. The DCMS investment of almost £3m is supported by approximately £1.25m already committed from the Future High Streets Fund managed by TDA on behalf of the Council.

Torbay Council, Torbay Culture and Paignton Picture House Trust will be working with partners including South Devon College, TDA and the Agatha Christie Festival to deliver the CDF programme over the next three years. Activity will include the college providing skills development opportunities and apprenticeships; and the PPH Trust will work with the Festival, Doorstep Arts, Filament Works, Sound Communities, and others to plan community engagement activities. Part of the CDF involves resource support to develop audiences and access to the local heritage and culture.

This investment will enable capital works to be completed at the historic landmark, one of Europe’s earliest purpose-built cinemas. The Picture House will become a flexible mixed-use space providing 35mm and digital projection, community events, public access and engagement with archive material; celebrating local film heritage and providing income generation through a catering offer that complements the surrounding area.

Torre Abbey to be supported by the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND)

In addition to the CDF award of £2,987,670 for Paignton Picture House, the MEND award for Torre Abbey of £468,933 will enable essential conservation works to be completed. Torre Abbey is a scheduled monument, grade I listed building and Accredited museum. The MEND funding will be matched by Torbay Council and funds raised from the Friends of Torre Abbey.

Comments from the DCMS, Arts Council England, Torbay Council, Torbay Culture, Paignton Picture House Trust and the International Agatha Christie Festival

“Culture is the bedrock of society. It brings people together, entertains and informs us, and helps us to understand our common past and shared future. Today we are announcing a raft of new funding for treasured cultural institutions up and down the country. This will help them to continue their great work, advance our work to level up access to arts and culture so they can be enjoyed by people no matter where they live, and protect these cherished institutions for future generations to enjoy”

- Lord Parkinson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts

“These high-profile funding awards are fantastic news not only for Paignton Picture House and Torre Abbey, but for Torbay’s heritage sector as a whole. Torbay has a fascinating and significant heritage that not only improves the quality of life for people living in the Bay through learning, but it also offers new experiences and diverse employment opportunities, which support our ever growing and thriving visitor economy”

- Councillor Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism & Housing

“There is enormous interest in local heritage among Torbay residents. Heritage is not only about looking to the past, preserving, and conserving, it’s about the people and the places today. Paignton Picture House and Torre Abbey are layered in local history, and it’s wonderful that through this funding we can continue to ensure the future of Torbay’s culture and heritage for generations to come”

- Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment & Culture

“Our artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries are experts in making villages, towns and cities better places to live, work, visit or play. This investment means they’ll be able to help more people across England to lead happier, more creative lives”

- Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England

“Partnership working, and community engagement is a key element of raising the profile of culture in Torbay. Our vision is to bring both residents and visitors together through culture. By opening up the Picture House and protecting Torre Abbey by working with other core partners in the local culture sector we can just do that”

- Jacob Brandon, Chair, Torbay Culture

“Knowing how competitive the process has been, we are thrilled that the Picture House is being recognised more widely for its heritage value. This funding will allow now allow us to move forward with plans to create a flexible mixed-use space that not only celebrates local heritage but will allow more people within the community to become involved in culture and heritage”

- Paul Hawthorne, Chair, Paignton Picture House Trust

“The Picture House was a favourite cultural destination of Agatha Christie, whose life and legacy the International Agatha Christie Festival celebrates each year across Torbay. We are delighted to be part of the core consortium which is now able to progress our shared ambitions in support of local engagement in literature, arts and heritage”

- Heather Norman-Soderlind, Chair, Agatha Christie Festival Ltd

Read more below:

Torbay Council news releases: CDF and MEND

DCMS press release

Arts Council England news

Images: Paignton Picture House during the Electric Sound Palace (Chris Timpson/Aurelia Soundworks) commissioned by Torbay Culture as part of Eyeview (Paul Blakemore, 2019)

Paignton Picture House facade on Torbay Road (Josephine Brown, 2022)

Torre Abbey from the air looking towards Tor Bay (Torbay Council)