Hackney,
23
July
2021
|
09:08
Europe/London

Hello Again, Hackney – new Council campaign and culture fund to support reopening economy

A new £400,000 fund to help the borough’s cultural institutions welcome back customers safely with special offers, discounted tickets and pop-up events is the centrepiece of a major new campaign launched by Hackney Council today. 

The Hello Again, Hackney campaign will encourage residents and visitors to rediscover their favourite venues, businesses and public spaces and help get the local economy back on its feet after the strain of the coronavirus pandemic – with a packed programme of summer events and family activities.

And Hackney residents will be treated to a range of offers at around 80 participating venues, with one-off grants of up to £5,000 available to theatres, music venues, galleries, cinemas and museums through the Council’s Hello Again, Hackney Cultural Venues Reopening Fund.

Mayor Philip Glanville joined famous Hackney Carnival regulars Tropical Isles to launch the campaign outside Hackney Town Hall.

Hackney Council has provided funding, advice and support for cultural organisations and businesses throughout the pandemic, and has helped them prepare as they have tirelessly worked to reopen safely in line with Covid-safe guidance. 

Despite the Government’s decision to end most coronavirus restrictions, the Council continues to urge residents to wear a mask in indoor and crowded public spaces and follow sensible public health advice. 

The campaign, which is part of the Council’s work to build a fair recovery from coronavirus, will include: 

Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney
Our borough is world-renowned for its incredible creativity and culture, but it’s the local staff, artists and performers who make it what it is. We must all support them if we want to keep them, and I can’t wait for our venues and high streets to safely welcome back audience members and customers from Hackney and across London over the next few months.

Our local economy and cultural institutions have been hit hard by coronavirus, and that’s why we have sought to develop this fund to help support some of our most badly affected businesses and encourage people to rediscover what they love about Hackney again. 

I’m so proud of everything our borough has achieved over the last year – but I know that many people are close to burnout. It’s vital that together, we demonstrate the Hackney spirit that has got us through these trials and challenges by supporting each other, our businesses and our communities in the next few months.

The pandemic hasn’t gone away, so it’s vital that as people start to book that gig or dinner, or simply visit their favourite Hackney spot, they continue to follow sensible public health advice and respect each other.

It’s time to say hello again, Hackney – see the best our borough has to offer.
Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney
Shoreditch Town Hall is delighted to be a part of Hello Again, Hackney and welcome audiences back into our much-loved building, having recently undergone a transformative façade clean. 

This autumn and winter we’re bringing our community Tea Dances for older adults, young peoples’ workshops, events for families, and a celebratory programme of performances to be announced soon. We’re keen to ensure we welcome you back safely and confidently so we will continue to offer the choice to attend socially distanced events within our programme and we will maintain current Covid-19 safety measures to protect the health and well-being of all visitors.  

In support of our creative community, we continue to dedicate space within our building to offer free Artist Workspaces too, supporting artist development and the creation of new performances for Hackney audiences of the future.
Beth Byrne, Chief Executive Officer, Shoreditch Town Hall
Arcola is thrilled to be back with our new venue Arcola Outside. Built with audiences’ wants and needs in mind, it benefits from being outdoor and sheltered. 

Home to our Today I'm Wiser festival, it currently hosts a lively modern adaptation of Marivaux's The Game of Love and Chance. You can also find us at Hackney Empire, staging Wagner's Die Walküre, marking the return of Grimeborn opera festival. It's great to be back, we hope you can join us soon.
Arcola Theatre’s co-founder and Executive Producer Leyla Nazli

Applications to the Hello Again, Hackney Cultural Venues Reopening Fund close on 6 August. Funded activities can take place at any time until March next year, but those taking place between September and December 2021 will benefit from free Council promotion as part of the campaign. Visit the Love Hackney website for more information and to apply.