Blackpool’s City of Culture bid builds momentum with massive £357,000 funding boost for Grundy Art Gallery
‘I’ll keep working to make sure Blackpool benefits from further opportunities like this.’
As its bid for UK City of Culture 2026 builds momentum, Blackpool is strengthening its cultural foundations through targeted investment in heritage and the arts, with a significant funding coming in the form of £357,000 secured by Chris Webb for the Grundy Art Gallery through the government’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND).
Part of a broader national package supporting 28 museums across England, the funding is geared towards enabling essential infrastructure improvements, tackling maintenance backlogs and enhancing visitor experience.
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For Blackpool, the investment is particularly meaningful. The Grundy Art Gallery, a cultural cornerstone since 1911, will benefit from measures that protect its building and collections while improving sustainability, accessibility and long-term resilience.
Celebrating what makes Blackpool special
Chris Webb, Blackpool South MP, said: “Our local cultural spaces are at the heart of our community, bringing people together and celebrating what makes Blackpool special. I’m absolutely delighted that the Grundy Art Gallery will receive £357,000 through the Museum Estate and Development Fund.
“This is a significant investment that will help protect the gallery’s historic building, safeguard its collections and improve the experience for everyone who visits. I met with the Grundy’s team following my election and discussed the funding needed to secure its future.
“I was proud to make the case for this important cultural asset to government and it’s fantastic to see that effort deliver real results for our town. The Grundy is a vital part of Blackpool’s cultural identity and this investment will help ensure it continues to thrive for years to come, supporting our ambitions to strengthen Blackpool’s cultural offer and town centre.
“I’ll keep working to make sure Blackpool benefits from further opportunities like this, because by investing in our cultural institutions, we are investing in our community and our future.”
The award sits within the government’s wider Arts Everywhere Fund, championed by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. With £127.8 million already allocated from a £1.5 billion commitment, the fund is supporting museums, libraries and cultural venues nationwide.
As Blackpool continues its City of Culture bid, this investment underscores a broader ambition: to position culture at the heart of regeneration, ensuring institutions like the Grundy remain vibrant, accessible and central to community life for generations to come.
People take real pride in where they come from
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Across the country, people take real pride in where they come from. Our local arts, museums and libraries are a big part of that, telling our stories, reflecting who we are and bringing communities together.
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“That’s why our Arts Everywhere Fund matters. We’re backing the places people care about most, with support for 130 venues across the country announced today.
“Arts and culture aren’t a luxury for a privileged few. They are for everyone, everywhere. They bring people together, open doors, and support our shared sense of belonging. That’s the role they can play as we build a stronger future for our country.”