Facebook donates £1m and government grants £447K to help save jobs at Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes

The wartime coding centre museum has been facing financial due to lockdown and warned that a third of the 100 jobs there might have to be cut.

Many of the activities enjoyed by visitors from all over the world could also have to be curtailed, said bosses, who predicted a £2m deficit this year.

The windfall from Facebook means some of the jobs and the popular activities can now be saved.

On top of the £1m, The Bletchley Park Trust has this week been told it will receive £447,000 from the government's Cultural Recovery Fund, which is designed to help museums and arts organisations deal with the impact of Covid-19.

Bletchley Park chief executive Iain Standen said: "With this significant support, we at Bletchley Park can weather the current crisis and survive into the future, keeping the doors open for future generations.".

MK South MP Iain Stewart has applauded the government grant, which is part of £1,410,009 Culture Recovery Fund cash to be split between four local organisations in his ward. Another is The Stables at Wavendon.

He said: "Milton Keynes is home to a diverse range of history, culture, theatre, and music organisations that are assets to many of my constituents as well as tourists from all over the country and the world.

“I welcome this funding announcement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as it will help these organisations in my constituency to weather these hard times of the coronavirus outbreak but still allow visitors to visit their sites.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair of the Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said: “Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

But already smaller live music and entertainment venues in Milton Keynes fear they will be left out in the cold as more of the cash goes to bigger establishments.

One of these is Unit Nine in Wolverton, which yesterday learned it had been unsuccessful in its bid for Arts England Culture funding to help it weather the Covid storm.

"This is devastating for us as a venue. We are highly engaged with the community, not just for events but for the projects we run within the community alongside MK Council, Thames Valley police and more," said a spokesman.