Kiplin Hall and Gardens has received £29,300 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help the venue recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The grant will help fund immediate needs to improve the visitor experience given the changes that have been put in place to ensure social distancing.
This will include a new marquee, new more permanent outdoor signage for the one-way systems, decorative improvements to the North Tower staircase which is now part of the visitor route in the building, and screens between the tables in the tearoom when it reopens.
Funds will also be used to enhance the outdoor spaces, making them even more engaging and informative for visitors should an indoor lockdown take place in the future.
New interpretation boards for the gardens, a bird hide, wildlife camera and internet weather station will be installed. As well as upgrades to the website and till system to allow for online ticket and gift shop transactions.
James Etherington, director at Kiplin Hall and Gardens said: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can continue to welcome visitors back to Kiplin, safely as the autumn weather approaches.
“New outdoor interpretation boards will help visitors to learn more about the history of the building and the families who lived here, without the need to go inside if they do not wish to.
“Or a lockdown means we need to temporarily closed the building. Wildlife hides will also help our visitors to spend longer on site, exploring the diverse natural environment.
“We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.”
The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50 million was made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.
The UK-wide fund aimed to address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as Kiplin Hall & Gardens during this uncertain time.”
Kiplin Hall and Gardens is currently open to visitors five days per week, Friday – Tuesday.
The tea room remains closed for the time being but takeaway refreshments are being served.
Visit www.kiplinhall.co.uk for more information.
