AN Oxfordshire MP is urging cultural organisations, heritage sites and businesses to apply for funding.

Banbury and Bicester MP Victoria Prentis is encouraging businesses in her constituency to apply for the latest round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

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The fund is designed to support organisations as they recover from the pandemic with an additional £300 million of support announced.

Ms Prentis said: “I am really pleased to see the Government extend the Culture Recovery Fund for a third round. The support package has provided a vital lifeline to many of our much loved sites locally, including The Mill in Banbury and the Heritage Skills Academy in Bicester.

“So far £1.2 billion worth of funding has been allocated to more than 5,000 cultural organisations across the country, many recipients of which are based in North Oxfordshire. Over recent weeks I have had the opportunity to visit some of the successful recipients, including Dragonfly Lighting and OYAP Trust to hear see how they have been getting on. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

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"I encourage as many theatres, museums, cinemas and other cultural organisations in my constituency to apply for the next round. Funding will be available to boost some of those who have received support already as well as new applicants."

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