Supporters of Bovey Paradiso are celebrating after being awarded £200,000 in government funding from the Community Ownership Fund. The fund was set up to enable local groups to acquire and develop important assets, including pubs, so they can be run for the benefit of the local community. Bovey Paradiso was chosen as one of only fifty projects across the country to receive funding from the latest round of bids.
Bovey Paradiso has given a new lease of life to the historic 16th century King of Prussia building located at the top end of Fore Street in Bovey Tracey and has now taken another step towards becoming a lively community arts and entertainment centre.
The restoration of the Tudor building has been undertaken in three phases with an art gallery and set of studios completed in 2021. A high-quality café and restaurant then opened in April this year but will be closed temporarily to enable the final phase of the works – a theatre and cinema – to be started.
Local MP Mel Stride, who lobbied vigorously in Westminster for the funding and has visited the Paradiso twice in the past four weeks to discuss the funding bids, said:
“This is fantastic news for Bovey. The £200,000 grant is another huge step forward to providing a fantastic arts hub and deliver a much needed boost to the local economy. David and his team should be so proud of all their hard work.”
Paradiso Chair David McGahey said:
“I am absolutely delighted that we have secured this major pot, which will enable major works to take place, including the groundworks for the auditorium and improving accessibility by opening up the main entrance. We are all very grateful for the support that Mel provided to make this happen.”
For more information visit www.paradiso.org.uk.
