Lincolnshire’s International Bomber Command Centre thrown cash lifeline by six-figure heritage grant

The International Bomber Command Centre, based near Lincoln, had been under threat due to loss of income caused by closure during the pandemic but is receiving a £426,700 bail out from the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund.

The IBCC is one of 445 heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government scheme.

Along with other fundraising initiatives, the cash will help to replace income lost through the pandemic and will provide support to keep the centre operational over the lean winter months. The fund will help adapt the centre’s education, community and outreach programmes to digital platforms, allowing them to be shared more widely and enabling more people to learn of the role and sacrifice of Bomber Command.

Part of the fund has been allocated to reducing long term energy costs by increasing green energy on site and the centre’s AA disability rating will also be further improved with the installation of a Changing Places facility for disabled visitors.

Nicky van der Drift, IBCC Chief Executive, said: “This funding forms an essential part of protecting the heritage of Bomber Command for the future, supporting the centre following the devastating impact of Covid on the finances. It also enables us to move forward, developing elements across heritage, education, outreach and accessibility to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of the project.

“We are enormously grateful to the Government for their support in protecting the memories of those who served their country to protect our freedoms.”

This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund - administered at arms length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

A total of 433 organisations will receive a share of £67 million from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage to help with costs for operating, reopening and recovery. This includes famous heritage sites across the country, from Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Blyth Tall Ship to the Severn Valley Railway, the Piecehall in Halifax as well as International Bomber Command Centre.

Twelve organisations, including English Heritage, Landmark Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and the Canal and River Trust, will receive £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart construction and maintenance on cherished heritage sites to preserve visitor attractions and protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors in the sector.

The International Bomber Command Centre last month launched a crowdfunding appeal, asking the public to help save it, and protect its future as the losses caused by Covid were casting doubt over the future viability of the charity and the centre.

Closure, due to lockdown, decimated the centre’s finances, with 90 per cent of the project’s income having been cut. After re-opening on July 21, the reduction in numbers to allow for social distancing and further uncertainty about the pandemic, leading to 87 per cent of the project’s bookings having been cancelled, had a dramatic and ongoing impact on the centre’s future sustainability.

Since opening in Spring 2018, the award-winning IBCC has become one of Lincolnshire’s most popular visitor attractions, honouring the wartime bravery of the men and women of Bomber Command, creating the biggest free to access digital resource on the Command in the world, and contributing over £5million a year to the local economy.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is absolutely right that investing in heritage should be a priority during this crisis and this support by Government is crucial. Heritage creates jobs and economic prosperity, is a major driver for tourism and makes our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live. All of this is so important for our wellbeing and will be particularly vital when we start to emerge from this incredibly difficult time.

“Our heritage is still facing a perilous future – we are not out of the woods yet. But this hugely welcome funding from Government, and the money we continue to invest from the National Lottery, has undoubtedly stopped heritage and the organisations that care for it being permanently lost.”