A PROJECT aimed at boosting Tavistock’s recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has received a massive cash injection from the Government, it has been anounced.

Tavistock Town Council has received a Capital Kickstart Fund award of £130,900 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund for the Guildhall Gateway project, which has been delayed as a result of the pandemic.

Officials hope the landmark project will open for the summer when it is expected the area will have a significant influx of tourists. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is aiming to lift Covid restrictions by June 21.

The cash is one of the latest grants awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and builds on over £1 billion awarded to a huge range of cultural and heritage organisations from the Culture Recovery Fund last year.

The project, which the town council is delivering in partnership with Tavistock Heritage Trust, will see the town’s historic Guildhall redeveloped as a mining World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.

The Gateway is one of 22 ambitious heritage projects which will benefit from £13.5 million in targeted grants allocated by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support work that has faced delays or increased costs due to coronavirus.

Tavistock town mayor, Cllr Anne Johnson said: ‘This is a most welcome and much-needed contribution to a project that we hope will be a key part of promoting the town as a visitor destination and supporting economic recovery after coronavirus. The project partnership greatly appreciates the difference the funding will make and the recognition by Government of the significance of the initiative to Tavistock and the surrounding area’.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: ‘This funding is protecting the venues that have shaped our history and make us proud of our communities, while safeguarding the livelihoods of the people that work in them.’

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: ‘These are all ongoing major refurbishment and restoration projects, funded by us, which have been threatened by the pandemic. We are delighted this extra funding will ensure that these exciting projects will go ahead.’

The project is also being backed by West Devon Borough Council, who have recently given the project £30,000 towards audio-visual equipment.’