We are a public body and the largest funder for the UK’s heritage.

As The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we distribute National Lottery grants from £10,000 to £10million and over, funding projects that sustain and transform the UK's heritage.

As the Heritage Fund, we distribute non-Lottery funding, including grant in aid/government funding and loans, to heritage organisations.

The Subsidy Control Act 2022 

Since the UK left the European Union on 1 January 2021, the UK government has enacted domestic legislation to replace EU law: the Subsidy Control Act 2022 (‘the Act’). 

The Act aims to control the provision of subsidies – it prevents unfair competition or effects on trade and investment. This might happen if an organisation receives funding from state resources (which includes our funding, as our funds are public money) while another organisation can only use their own private funding.

You should familiarise yourself with the requirements of the new subsidy control regime when considering applying to us.

The Act has been fully in force from 4 January 2023. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has issued guidance on the operation of the Act. This guidance helps public authorities, such as the Heritage Fund, to award subsidies in a way which minimises any negative effects on competition and investment, as well as promoting the effective and efficient use of public money. These subsidies are permitted provided they satisfy the criteria set out in the Act.

Subsides above a certain financial threshold (currently £100,000) must be published on both our own website, and on a database held by BEIS.

Smaller grants may be outside the scope of the Act if they are not considered to be a subsidy. For example because they are unlikely to have an impact on trade or investment.

What is a subsidy?

There are four key characteristics which must all be present for funding to be classed as a subsidy:

1. a financial contribution
2. given by a public authority from public funds
3. given to an organisation giving them an economic advantage that is not available on market terms
4. affects or is capable of affecting competition or investment within the UK, or trade or investment between the UK and a country or territory outside of the UK

If our funding meets all four key characteristics, then it will be a subsidy. For a subsidy to be permitted it has to comply with seven common principles as set out on the UK government website.

EU State Aid Law

The previous EU state aid law will still apply to some grants awarded before 31 December 2020, and there may be additional considerations to take into account in Northern Ireland.

UK state aid guidance can be found on the UK government website.

Subsidy control information in relation to individual awards, 2024

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Plymouth City Council

Date of grant: 14 March 2024

Grant expiry date: 31 March 2029

Reference: OL-19-03781

Grantee: Plymouth City Council

Category of beneficiary: Large enterprise

Subsidy amount: £4,100,000

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates The National Lottery Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Heritage Horizon Awards is a targeted grant programme for transformational heritage projects: “Backing big ideas, unlocking possibilities". A funding programme for projects that are transformative, innovative and collaborative that bring about positive changes and benefits to people, place and revolutionise UK heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: Plymouth City Council will work with partners to create the UK's first National Marine Park, a once-in-a-lifetime transformational opportunity for Plymouth. It will create a blueprint for an innovative model for National Marine Parks. Plymouth Sound is a natural and heritage landscape that is unsurpassed and has played a major role in the national psyche, shaping our history for hundreds of years. A unique landscape that since the Bronze Age has borne witness to some of the most significant moments of human endeavour.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be not-for-profit organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund decision meeting.

Project summary: 

The UK's first National Marine Park will include three large scale 'Gateways':

• new accessible facilities for water users at Tinside Lido and the Hoe foreshore
• improvements across the Mount Batten Peninsular, enhancing the landscape and its heritage
• conservation of The Garden Battery at Mount Edgcumbe to create a new public space

The National Marine Park will also include:

• two ‘Community Access Points’ projects; one at Ernesettle Creek and the other at Firestone Bay to increase access and widen participation in areas that are important to local people
• four distinct ‘Nature Boost’ projects to help support the recovery of species and habitats in Plymouth Sound
• an inclusive activity plan that will drive a marine citizenship programme, providing diverse opportunities to engage with the Park, discover and learn more about it and support activities to help enhance and care for it 
• a ‘Digital Park’ to bring the wonders of the Park to life and enable everyone to experience the treasures below the waves 
• Interpretation to tell the stories of the Park, past, present and future. Features will be located at the capital Gateways and areas away from the waterfront, linking the stories of Plymouth Sound throughout the city.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to New Lanark Trust

Date of grant: 10 January 2024

Grant expiry date: 31 December 2024

Reference: MF-22-00097

Grantee: New Lanark Trust

Category of beneficiary: Small

Subsidy amount: £2,395,140

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980.

Policy objective: To safeguard nationally important heritage assets within England which were at risk as a direct result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Purpose of the subsidy: A programme of works to address the backlog of maintenance and reactive repair issues for this UNESCO World Heritage site, which have compounded during the pandemic due to the inability of the organisation to generate sufficient income to support costs.

Eligibility for the subsidy: Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: The grant will fund a programme of works to address the backlog of maintenance and reactive repair issues at its UNESCO World Heritage site, which have been compounded by the impact of the pandemic on the Trust’s capacity to generate income.

The backlog maintenance for 2022/23 is included along with repairs to the Nursery & New Building, School Building and Long Row roofs as per their prioritised maintenance plan.

Oversight of the site is provided by a partnership between New Lanark Trust, South Lanarkshire Council and Historic Environment Scotland, which enables the partners to bring their various areas of expertise to support the site over the long term.

Subsidy control information in relation to individual awards, 2023

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Buxton Civic Association Ltd

Date of grant: 20 December 2023

Reference: NM-23-00720

Grantee: Buxton Civic Association Ltd

Category of beneficiary: Small and medium sized enterprises

Subsidy amount: £249,990

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates The National Lottery Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: Buxton Civic Association (BCA) owns and manages 200 acres of woodland surrounding Buxton and Poole’s Cavern, a two-million-year-old natural limestone cave. The project will enable Buxton Civic Association (BCA), to enact organisational changes and explore new opportunities for engaging members, volunteers and visitors with these important attractions.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened delegated decision panels.

Project summary: This 26-month project will support the Buxton Civic Association (BCA) to become more organisationally resilient. It will achieve this by increasing the organisation’s capacity to implement changes, testing new Audience Development and Volunteer Plans, exploring new commercial opportunities, and commissioning professional advice to improve governance.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Menter Ty'n Llan Cyfyngedig

Date of grant: 19 December 2023

Reference: NL-22-00028

Grantee: Menter Ty'n Llan Cyfyngedig

Category of beneficiary: Small and medium sized enterprises

Subsidy amount: £1,709,456

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates The National Lottery Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: Menter Ty’n Llan owns and runs Ty’n Llan tavern in Llandwrog and aims to develop the historic building and its garden to provide an accessible community hub for wellbeing and social purposes, to support its organisational sustainability by developing new income streams through hospitality, and to improve environmental performance of the building.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened delegated decision panels.

Project summary: The project aims to transform Ty'n Llan tavern into a community hub which will foster connections between people and place and celebrate the built, natural and cultural-linguistic heritage of Llandwrog and beyond. Physical work includes development of catering and hospitality facilities, provision of car park space, interpretation of regional heritage, and an allotment. A programme of educational and social events for visitors and the community.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to West Calder & Harburn Community Development Trust Ltd

Date of grant: 19 December 2023

Grant expiry date: 31 March 2029

Reference: NL-21-00135

Grantee: West Calder & Harburn Community Development Trust Ltd

Category of beneficiary: Small

Subsidy amount: £1,929,600

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and the National Lottery Etc. Act 1993

Policy objective: National Lottery Heritage Grants is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. It is a funding programme that focuses on conserving and valuing heritage for now and the future, supporting nature recovery and environment sustainability, supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access, and participation in heritage, and strengthening heritage to be adaptive and financially resilient, contributing to communities and economies, all of which is made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: The subsidy will fund a project which will repair and redevelop the vacant and at-risk building into a heritage centre, an accessible hub for education and training and an entry point for local wellbeing services. The historic building represents an important part of the social and industrial heritage of the co-operative movement which was so important to the town of West Calder and wider West Lothian area.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: Over a five-year delivery phase, this project will repair and redevelop the vacant and at-risk building into a heritage centre, an accessible hub for education and training and an entry point for local wellbeing services. The historic building represents an important part of the social and industrial heritage of the co-operative movement which was so important to the town of West Calder and wider West Lothian area. 

Capital works

• Comprehensive repairs to the historic building fabric will include brickwork repair, re-slating the roof, reinstatement of leadwork and cast-iron rainwater goods, replacement of windows and removal of internal partitions.
• Redevelopment of the building will provide reception space, permanent exhibition, temporary gallery, flexible community space, catering kitchen, café, shop and toilets on the ground floor.
• On the upper floor, a flexible events/exhibition space, archive store, servery, toilets, exhibition storage and a staff room will be provided. The provision of an exhibition store within the building will ensure artefacts related to the Scottish Co-operative moment are appropriately stored.
• On the lower ground floor, a wellbeing hub of partner organisations office space, store, toilets and a Changing Places toilet will be provided.

Activities, outputs and audiences 

• Priority audiences to be targeted include: families, young people, autism groups and individuals, older and retired people, schools, Higher and Further Education institutions, heritage tourists and special interest visitors. 
• Heritage engagement activity will include collections management, gathering and co-producing content, institutional loans, collecting roadshow, undertaking an oral history project, digital crowdsourcing material, community research programmes, banner creation and co-curating temporary exhibitions. 
• The ‘Hidden Histories’ traineeship will comprise three targeted paid placements for deaf, disabled or neurodivergent individuals to reinterpret co-operative stories through the lens of disability. 
• The learning programme will provide education materials to enhance visits for primary schools and more specific material for secondary pupils in social subjects and health and wellbeing. Work placements will be provided for students from West Calder High School and West Lothian College. 
• Volunteering opportunities and training will be provided alongside most functions in the centre (reception, shop, guide, collections, digital, events etc). 
• A celebratory booklet will be produced for the 150th anniversary of West Calder Co-operative Society in 2025, co-designed with community members and co-operative shareholders. 
• Wellbeing monitoring and evaluation will be supported and informed by advisory groups and oversight panels including: Autism/ASN lived experience panel, Co-op Heritage and Museums Panel, and Specialist Organisations Panel.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Citizens Theatre 

Date of grant: 19 December 2023

Grant expiry date: 30 June 2024

Reference: HG-13-09470

Grantee: Citizens Theatre 

Category of beneficiary: Medium

Subsidy amount: a grant increase of £2,500,000. Total grant awarded: £7,295,000.

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and the National Lottery Etc. Act 1993.

Policy objective:  National Lottery Heritage Grants is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. It is a funding programme that focuses on conserving and valuing heritage for now and the future, supporting nature recovery and environmental sustainability, supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access, and participation in heritage, and strengthening heritage to be adaptive and financially resilient, contributing to communities and economies, all of which is made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: The funding will allow Citizens Theatre to restore and safeguard the future of a Grade B listed Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. The theatre is an important historic cultural landmark and community focal point in Glasgow’s Gorbals area.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: The Project aims to restore and safeguard the future of the iconic Grade B listed Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. The theatre was located in the Gorbals, an area of severe socio-economic deprivation and was of huge cultural importance in that context and for the whole city. The project would undertake urgent repair and conservation work to restore the original auditorium of the theatre and remove inappropriate modern additions. Accessibility would be improved and the flexibility of backstage and auditorium space would be enhanced. A programme of audience development and outreach events would be delivered.

The theatre is an important historic cultural landmark and community focal point in Glasgow’s Gorbals area. The area has seen significant transformative change through demolition of high rise social housing tower blocks adjacent and replacement with high quality affordable housing delivered by a partnership of private developers and housing associations in what is seen as an exemplar model of urban-planning.

The project will focus particularly on:

• removing and replacing dilapidated non-original additions
• maximising public access and enhancing visitor experience
• cataloguing and conserving historic collections
• interpreting the heritage of the building
• delivering a programme of community engagement
• providing volunteering, training and skills development opportunities.

Subsidy control information in relation to Hafod Morfa Copperworks

Date of grant: Grant increase letter dated 15 December 2023

Grant expiry date: 29 February 2024

Reference: HE-15-01729

Grantee: City and County of Swansea

Category of beneficiary: Large

Subsidy amount: £1,428,119 grant increase. Total grant amount: £5,245,519

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and the National Lottery Etc. Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Heritage Grants is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. It is a funding programme that focuses on conserving and valuing heritage for now and the future, supporting nature recovery and environmental sustainability, supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access, and participation in heritage, and strengthening heritage to be adaptive and financially resilient, contributing to communities and economies, all of which is made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: The Heritage Enterprise programme is designed to bridge the funding gap that prevents a historic asset in need of repair from being returned to a beneficial and commercial use. The public policy objective for our Heritage Enterprise programme is to help projects achieve economic growth by investing in heritage. It supports commercial organisations working in partnership with community organisations to help them rescue neglected historic buildings and sites and return them to a viable productive use. 

The original grant involved using public funding to rescue a derelict Grade II listed building, turning this from an empty shell into a vibrant attraction, creating local jobs and increasing the number of visitors to the Copperopolis area. This is a grant increase and the public policy objective was informed by the spike in costs and a realisation that without additional funding the project would be stopped. 

The level of subsidy in this instance is the increase in costs; it is therefore considered to represent the viability gap. This objective recognised that the measure would deliver many meaningful long-term regeneration benefits, thereby contributing to the economic development of the Tawe Valley.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations or partnerships between commercial and not-for-profit organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels. The level of subsidy in this instance is the increase in costs; it is therefore considered to represent the viability gap.

Project summary: This is a Heritage Enterprise project and is based on the conservation deficit, where the existing value of a heritage asset plus the cost of bringing it back into use is greater than the value of the asset after development has been completed.

This project is based on the site of the former Hafod Morfa Copperworks, which contains 12 Grade II listed buildings or structures related to the copper industry (including the Grade II* Powerhouse and Grade II Rolling Mill).

The Rolling Mill building, partially serving as Swansea Museum's Collections Centre, had been in reasonable condition but the other historic buildings had been almost entirely neglected since 1980, with vandalism, arson, and vegetation all hastening decay. Many buildings including the Powerhouse were on the council's Listed Buildings at Risk Register and not considered commercially viable.

The Penderyn whisky company has identified the potential to base an expansion of their highly successful business at the Grade II listed Powerhouse building, and part of the Grade II listed Rolling Mill on the internationally significant Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site in Swansea. 

This expansion of Penderyn on a 99-year lease will provide a sustainable core to act as the catalyst to unlock further regeneration of a site that was the crucible of the world copper industry in the 1800s. Using copper distillery equipment will connect a new manufacturing process with the vibrant past of the site. 

New interpretation and an integrated visitor centre will link the commercial operation with the rich copper history of the site, and act as a focus for the memories and artefacts cherished by local people, bringing them to an international audience.

Project capital works include: 

• restoration of the Powerhouse Building
• reconfiguration of the adjacent Rolling Mill for partial use
• construction of a new visitor centre building between the two

The level of subsidy in this instance is the increase in costs; it is therefore considered to represent the viability gap.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Kala Sangam

Date of grant: 13 December 2023

Grant expiry date: 30 June 2026

Reference: NL-21-00243

Grantee: Kala Sangam

Category of beneficiary: Small

Subsidy amount: £2,291,947

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and the National Lottery Etc. Act 1993.

Policy objective:  National Lottery Heritage Grants is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. It is a funding programme that focuses on conserving and valuing heritage for now and the future, supporting nature recovery and environmental sustainability, supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access, and participation in heritage, and strengthening heritage to be adaptive and financially resilient, contributing to communities and economies, all of which is made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: Transforming Heritage at Kala Sangam: celebrating, archiving and bringing to life the stories of the communities that have shaped St Peter's House and building a bright, accessible future for this landmark heritage building.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: Kala Sangam has collaborated widely with Bradford's diverse communities, developing large-scale proposals to revitalise its home, the Grade II listed St Peter's House, by removing significant access barriers and creating physical spaces needed for upscaling heritage delivery, supported by an inclusive two-year activities programme.

The 39-month delivery phase will commence in December 2023, with capital works anticipated to complete in April 2025. Activities will be delivered through to February 2026. Full-time staff comprise a Head of Community Engagement and a Heritage Engagement Officer.

Some of the capital works will include:

• new central entrance, sympathetically designed to complete the existing façade through adapting principal windows into new door openings, and stairs
• new gallery and interpretation space to act as the central foyer, housing permanent and seasonal heritage interpretation/exhibitions
• four new studio spaces for heritage engagement
• two accessible lifts
• roof fabric protection works
• access interventions
• Changing Places facilities
• repurposing the ground floor, including provision for a new community-led tenant (BCB Community Radio), effectively doubling publicly accessible floor space at St Peter's House

Extensive activity will engage people from across Bradford, focusing specifically in areas experiencing high levels of deprivation and low cultural engagement. 

Kala Sangam will work with four local core-communities, who reflect the multicultural diversity of City Ward (where Kala Sangam is located): 

• WomenZone (predominantly older, Pakistan-born, South Asian women)
• NAFS (South Asian mothers and children and Eastern European refugees)
• u3a (older, White British and no longer in full-time work)
• New Libya Society (all ages)

During year one, activity will be delivered in local community settings. The second year's activities will be delivered on-site (post-capital) and work created will tour to communities across the district.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Llanelly House Trust Ltd.

Date of grant: 15 November 2023

Reference: NM-23-00581

Grantee: Llanelly House Trust Ltd.  

Category of beneficiary:  Small to Medium Enterprise

Subsidy amount: £112,000 (Grant awarded)

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 National Lottery Etc. Act 1993

Policy objective:  National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. Using money raised by the National Lottery, the National Lottery Heritage Fund inspires, leads and resources the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and for the future. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players. 

Purpose of the subsidy: The project facilitates free access to heritage and the project will enable Llanelly House Trust Ltd to reopen Llanelly House as a venue and a visitor attraction working towards a sustainable future.   

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit organisations, or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: This is a one-year project to revitalise Llanelly House Trust’s business plan and carry out urgent works to Llanelly House, a Grade I listed building which has been described as the finest early 18th century town house in Wales. The project will be funded to support essential maintenance costs and upgrade works. The project is targeting people local to Llanelly House by allowing for the building to reopen as a viable and attractive visitor experience and venue, particularly for school visits.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Cardiff Market Restoration Project

Date of grant: 30 October 2023

Reference: OL-18-07277

Grantee: County Council of the City and County of Cardiff

Category of beneficiary: Large

Subsidy amount: £2,091,500 of £6,504,800 (32%)

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 National Lottery Etc. Act 1993

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: The grant will fund a project that concentrates on the restoration of the Grade II* listed Victorian indoor market in Cardiff city centre, with a focus on improving the sustainability of the market and increasing / sharing a greater understanding of its heritage.

Eligibility for the subsidy: National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: The project will focus on the restoration of the Grade II* listed Victorian indoor market in Cardiff city centre, with a focus on improving the sustainability of the market. Through this specific proposal, the applicant seeks to bridge the funding gap that prevents the historic asset in need of repair from being updated and sufficiently maintained in order to continue to be of beneficial use.

This project is based on a Victorian indoor market which has historically been a popular destination for shoppers but has suffered from a decline in the aging visitor base and outdated systems – particularly drainage – that are now preventing current and potential tenants from meeting required standards.

The project will ensure that the historic asset can continue to serve the community and support the local economy into the future, by undertaking significant repairs, modernising sub-sufficient systems and broadening the inclusivity of the market.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Dewsbury Arcade

Date of grant: 26 October 2023 

Reference: NL-21-00235

Grantee: The Council of the Borough of Kirklees (Kirklees Council)

Category of beneficiary: Large (250 plus)

Subsidy amount: £4,441,032 of £6,044,378

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and the National Lottery Etc. Act 1993.

Policy objective: The Heritage Enterprise programme is designed to support developments that would not attract commercial interest and therefore are not commercially viable. The grant calculation is structured around the conservation deficit to ensure our contribution is targeted and appropriately proportionate to the redevelopment cost.

The Arcade is an important part of the Dewsbury Town Centre Strategic Development Framework (2018), Dewsbury Blueprint (2020), the Local Plan and the HAZ partnership. It also features in the Council’s draft Heritage Strategy/Action Plan. The government has demonstrated commitment to the project by committing match funding from the Towns Fund (TF) and Getting Building Fund (GBF). The Council’s application states the project will contribute to Levelling Up.

Purpose of the subsidy: Our grant is a contribution towards the conservation deficit plus activity costs for the restoration and upgrade of the Grade II Dewsbury Arcade and adjacent property.

Eligibility for the subsidy: Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit organisations, or public sector organisations, or for-profit organisation applicants could partner with a not-for-profit body. The heritage asset had to be of outstanding importance to the national heritage and at risk.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary:  Kirklees Council will restore and upgrade the Grade II Listed Dewsbury Arcade, and an adjacent property, to occupy a prominent position in the at-risk Dewsbury Town Centre Conservation Area, before leasing most of them to a Community Benefit Society, aside from two self-contained units that it will let separately. The Community Benefit Society will manage the Arcade as a vibrant central hub, providing independent retail units, artist studios, services, events and large bookend units for food/beverage consumption.

Its target tenants will be creative start-up entrepreneurs/artists, with a particular focus on young people and people of Asian heritage. The project will also include a programme of consultation, exhibitions, activities, learning resource creation and tours. Target audiences will include Kirklees College students, shoppers, pedestrians, visitors, community groups and audiences of the Council’s adult learning and cohesion programmes. Again there will be a particular focus on underrepresented South Asian communities and young people.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Belfast City Council and Strand Arts Centre

Date of grant: 20 September 2023

Reference: NL-21-00125 Strand Arts Centre – A Lasting Picture House

Grantee: Belfast City Council and Strand Arts Centre (charity no 104893) – joint grantees

Category of beneficiary:

Belfast City Council: Large, 250-plus employees

Strand Arts Centre: Small enterprise, 10-49 employees

Subsidy amount: £768,069 of £6,940,069.00

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and the National Lottery Etc. Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

The grant funded project also aligns with local and government strategies and objectives.

It aligns with Northern Ireland (NI)’s Programme for Government (PfG) which sets the policy for NI devolved government. As a regeneration, arts and cultural project this bid will deliver on a number of PfG objectives but most specifically will contribute to NI Department for Communities targets relating to the objective: ‘People want to live, work and visit here’.

The project complements the overriding aims of the Northern Ireland Executive in growing and rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy as well as helping to address outcomes linked to social disadvantage for the local population. The project will complement much of the current initiatives supported by Belfast City Council in regards to growing the cultural offering of the city.

At the local government level, the proposed investment will deliver on the policy objectives of ‘A City Imagining’ Cultural Strategy which makes a long-term commitment to the Belfast’s heritage, cultural and tourism assets as a means to drive transformation. It will quantifiably contribute to achieving 12 of the 16 priorities identified in the strategy. 

Purpose of the subsidy: Funding for a two-and-a-half year capital project for the restoration of the Restoration of the Strand Arts Theatre to be delivered by Belfast City Council together with various activities to be run for the duration of the capital project by Strands Art Centre. On completion of the capital project, Strand Arts Centre will continue to operate the Strand Arts Theatre under its 25-year lease of the property.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels. 

The options appraisal and business case for the provision of arts infrastructure for this part of Belfast and the refurbishment of Strand Arts Centre assessed a number of options and identified this project as the best value for money, delivering on a variety of policy objectives through its social and economic outputs.

Project summary: Restoration of the Strand Arts Centre (SAC) building in a way that maximises its heritage landmark status and enables the development of a high quality, sustainable, creative space in a way that brings positive and demonstrable economic and social benefits to East Belfast.

Capital works include redevelopment of the entrance for level access, small café and ground floor bar. Extension to rear of building for additional access. First floor refurbishment to create learning studios for dance classes, small performances, literary readings. Upgrade to Theatre 2 for live music and plays. Restoration of Crittal windows and exposing dramatic shipyard girders to reveal heritage of the building. Provision of disabled access by lift from foyer to new theatres.

Multi-sensory interpretation works to tell the story of the Strand Theatre, designed to be engaging and accessible to a wide audience with varying abilities and learning styles.

A range of activities during the capital works will include:

• a pop-up cinema in a vacant unit while the building is closed
• development of relationships with regional film clubs
• events with community groups and care homes to collect memories of lost cinema
• touring Pop-up Picture House with heritage theme
• various community workshops
• development of a heritage tour and accompanying hands on projection workshop
• development of STEM education pack including digital

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to The Seachange Trust

Date of grant: 20 September 2023

Reference: NL-23-00009

Grantee: The Seachange Trust

Category of beneficiary: Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Subsidy amount: £1,968,061

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates The National Lottery Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: To enable Out There Arts (The Seachange Trust) to complete the repair, restoration and fit-out of the Ice House as part of a wider package of funding, bringing the building into public use for the first time.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened delegated decision panels.

Project summary: This project will repair and restore Great Yarmouth’s historic Grade II Listed Ice House, the last example of its kind in the UK. The building will become multi-use cultural venue: a centre of excellence for Outdoors Arts and Circus creation, training and delivery, accessible community hub, 650-person event venue and riverside café/bar/terrace space. A Heritage Learning and Creative Community Engagement Programme will be delivered in tandem with the capital works, with particular benefit for the communities surrounding the Ice House.

Subsidy control information in relation to grants to Red Rose Chain

Date of grant: 31 May 2023

Reference: NM-22-01063

Grantee: Red Rose Chain

Category of beneficiary: Small Enterprise

Subsidy amount: £232,882

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Etc Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: The project facilitates free access to heritage and drama workshops for multiple underserved groups that would otherwise struggle to participate.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels. 

Project summary: This three-year project (September 2023 to August 2026) in Ipswich, Suffolk, uses Anglo-Saxon myths to hold theatre-themed heritage workshops, create new learning and digital resources, and create new professional and community drama productions. Workshops will research, consider and re-interpret Anglo-Saxon myth, with some groups creating community productions. Groups will also contribute to an exhibition and the creation of an online resource about the Anglo-Saxons.

The grantee’s regular programme engages young people and people living with disabilities in free theatre workshops (informed by heritage themes and learning). Workshops are also provided for life-prisoners, schools in deprived wards, and asylum seekers.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust 

Date of grant: 12 May 2023

Reference: NM-22-01000

Grantee: Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT)

Category of beneficiary: Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Subsidy amount: £250,000

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Etc Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: To enable IGMT to increase reach into local communities and build its organisational resilience. This will support them to protect and maintain their portfolio of 49 buildings and structures across the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations. 

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels. 

Project summary: IGMT intends to increase its medium to longer term financial resilience by commissioning an external review of its financial model, investing in its fundraising department to increase capacity, and commissioning a segmentation analysis. IGMT also intends to increase reach into local communities by funding a post to develop and implement a strategy for increasing breadth and diversity of audiences.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to The Judge’s Lodging Trust

Date of grant: 10 May 2023

Reference: NM-22-01011

Grantee: The Judge’s Lodging Trust Limited  

Category of beneficiary: Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Subsidy amount: £164,952

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates The National Lottery Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Etc Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: To enable the Judge’s Lodging Trust to build organisational resilience by developing a secure source of revenue. This will support the Trust to maintain their accredited museum, which is an important tourist attraction in Presteigne, Powys.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations. 

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened delegated decision panels. 

Project summary: The Judge’s Lodging Trust is looking to secure its long-term financial resilience by repurposing an unused room in the Judge’s Lodging Museum as a holiday let, providing a more secure income stream for the organisation after the loss of guaranteed council funding. The project will also improve access to the museum for disabled visitors by adding a disabled parking space and fitting a new platform lift in the museum.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Date of grant: 24 January 2023

Reference: NM-22-00712

Grantee: Iron Bridge Gorge Museum Trust

Category of beneficiary: Small to Medium Enterprise

Subsidy amount: £250,000 (Grant awarded)

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Etc Act 1993.

Policy objective:  To safeguard nationally important heritage assets within England which were at risk as a direct result of COVID-19.

Purpose of the subsidy: As part of an ongoing package of grant funding, the project will help IGMT move beyond the financial challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 and severe flooding over recent years.

Eligibility for the subsidy:  Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit organisations, or public sector organisations.  The heritage asset had to be of outstanding importance to the national heritage and at risk.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: As part of an ongoing package of grant funding, the project will help IGMT move beyond the financial challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 and severe flooding over recent years. Addressing repairs and maintenance in a comprehensive programme will enable the Trust to continue their operation, rather than ‘firefighting’ and focusing only on overdue urgent repairs or safety issues.  This project will support essential maintenance costs focusing on areas of planned and reactive maintenance and salary costs of existing staff. This is time-limited funding on a Full Cost Recovery basis to support the organisation in reaching a more sustainable position (both in terms of organisational capacity and the condition of the heritage assets) following a period of significant challenges.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Paxton17 Ltd 

Date of grant: 24 January 2023

Reference: NL-21-000140

Grantee: Paxton17 Ltd

Category of beneficiary: Small to Medium Enterprise

Subsidy amount: £2,677,310 (Grant awarded)

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Etc Act 1993.

Policy objective: The Heritage Enterprise programme is designed to support developments that would not attract commercial interest and therefore are not commercially viable. The grant calculation is structured around the conservation deficit to ensure our contribution is targeted and appropriately proportionate to the redevelopment cost.

Purpose of the subsidy: Our grant is a contribution towards the conservation deficit plus activity costs. Proposals include a café and gallery. Our grant will support the redevelopment of the historic buildings into artist studios and through the activity programme will help deliver skills-development opportunities for local communities.

Eligibility for the subsidy: Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit organisations, or public sector organisations, or for-profit organisation applicants could partner with a not-for-profit body. The heritage asset had to be of outstanding importance to the national heritage and at risk.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: Paxton17 Ltd have received a grant under our Heritage Enterprise programme to restore and redevelop two derelict Grade II* Georgian townhouses and give them a sustainable new use as artist studios. Our grant will support the redevelopment of the historic buildings into artist studios and through the activity programme will help deliver skills-development opportunities for local communities.

Subsidy control information in relation to individual awards, 2022

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Royal Chelsea Hospital  

Date of grant: 16 September 2022

Reference: NL-21-00018

Grantee:  Royal Chelsea Hospital  

Category of beneficiary:  Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Subsidy amount: £3,179,089

Legal basis of subsidy:  The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates The National Lottery Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980 and National Lottery Etc Act 1993.

Policy objective: National Lottery Grants for Heritage is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. A funding programme for projects that connect people and communities to UK-wide, regional and local heritage. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Purpose of the subsidy: As part of a site-wide capital scheme outside the scope of this project, the Soane Stables – currently used for storage and unsuitable for public access – will be restored and fitted out as a visitor centre. New interpretation, public engagement opportunities and a programme of activities will promote public enjoyment and public knowledge of the heritage.

Eligibility for the subsidy: The National Lottery Heritage Fund will inspire, lead and resource sustainable, thriving UK heritage. Applicants had to be charities, not-for-profit or public sector organisations.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: The Royal Hospital Chelsea will use the funding over three and a half years (from September 2022 to December 2025), to carry out capital works to refurbish and fit out the Soane Stables. Running alongside, there will be a detailed activity plan to deliver a step-change in the visitor offer. The visitor centre will be available to the public following the project for our remaining contract term.

Subsidy control information in relation to grant to Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Date of grant: 1 February 2022

Reference: MF-21-00078

Grantee: Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT)

Category of beneficiary: Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Subsidy amount: £9,974,353

Legal basis of subsidy: The Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (the body corporate which operates the Heritage Fund) has statutory power to award grants under the National Heritage Act 1980.

The Cultural Assets Fund was administered by the Heritage Fund, who distributed grant in aid monies (with funds provided by DCMS as part of the government’s wider Culture Recovery Fund) to support any heritage asset which is of outstanding importance to the national heritage and was at risk due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Policy objective: To safeguard nationally important heritage assets within England which were at risk as a direct result of COVID-19.

Purpose of the subsidy: To safeguard, through enabling repair and conservation, a portfolio of 49 buildings and structures across the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, and to provide an endowment to enable the grantee to return to financial viability and operate post-pandemic.

Eligibility for the subsidy: Applicants to the Cultural Assets Fund had to be charities, not-for-profit organisations, or public sector organisations.  The heritage asset had to be of outstanding importance to the national heritage and at risk due to the impact of COVID-19.

Basis for subsidy calculation: The project costs as set out in the grantee’s application and assessed and verified by Heritage Fund staff and the specially convened recommendation and decision panels.

Project summary: IGMT will use the subsidy funding to address a conservation repair backlog for 49 buildings and structures across the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Shropshire. The project comprises a three-year capital works programme which will enable IGMT to address the most urgent conservation needs which are currently beyond their financial capability and put the Trust back on a stable financial footing to aid recovery post COVID-19. The subsidy also includes £4.5m of endowment funding which will be managed by a professional Investment Management firm to generate income to fund ongoing conservation maintenance.