INITIATIVES across the district hit by the pandemic are set to share a funding pot of over £100,000.
Stratford District Council agreed to dish out the cash, geared at giving the local economy a much-needed boost, at a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday March 6.
A host of initiatives will benefit from the funding.
They include the Women’s Cycle Tour taking place in June. The Cabinet approved funding of £15,000 towards the event which will see Stratford host the “Grand Depart” on June 7.
A one-off grant of £20,000 was approved for The Stratford Literary Festival which was significantly impacted by the pandemic.
This funding will go towards supporting the Spring Festival in May and the Autumn festival which will be held later this year.
A further fund of £20,000 was also approved to support smaller events across the whole of the district. Details of how events can apply for this funding will be released soon.
Funding of £50,000 will be provided to commission original artworks for display in shop windows, in partnership with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The artwork will be based on Shakespeare and the Sonnets and will be created by a consortium of street artists. The artwork will initially be on display in Stratford but it is also planned for display in empty shops across the district.
Coun Anne Parry, SDC’s economic development spokeswoman, said: “Stratford was one of the areas which was most heavily impacted by the pandemic, mainly due to the high level of jobs in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
“Whilst we have seen a recovery in our local economy, what was approved today is an exciting range of initiatives which we are hoping will attract even more visitors to our district as the destination which offers such a great mix of culture and sport for all ages.”
