THE Scottish Government is providing a fresh emergency cash injection of over £150,000 to help the Beacon Arts Centre and two other local venues through the tail end of the coronavirus crisis.

As lockdown is lifted, ministers have announced funding of £162,865 for three 'cultural organisations and performing arts venues in Inverclyde' to avoid closures and job losses, following up on grants paid out last year.

The bulk of the latest sum, £124k, will go to the Beacon Arts Centre.

Local club Word Up is meanwhile receiving £18,465 and The Albany Theatre will pick up £20,000.

The emergency Covid-19 funding comes through Creative Scotland as part of £17m being distributed to a total of 331 organisations and venues across Scotland.

The Beacon's slice of the money was awarded under Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund, which aims to help the venue remain solvent, return staff from furlough and pay for new artistic commissions from freelance artists.

Word Up and The Albany are meanwhile benefitting under the second round of the Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund.

The government says this scheme is 'designed to help prevent insolvency and/or significant job losses due to the impact of Covid-19'.

Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “I am delighted that this vital funding is reaching the culture sector, which has endured some of the most challenging restrictions over the past 18 months.

"It’s exciting that the sector can now plan for full reopening.

"The communal experience of being part of an audience cannot be replicated, and it has been sorely missed since the start of the pandemic.

“The move beyond level 0 will allow the sector to reopen fully, but I know that it will take some time to rebuild.

"This funding will play a key role in stabilising many venues and businesses as the sector begins to recover."

The Beacon previously received a cash boost of £114,000 from the government in August 2020.

The Albany was given £40,000 by Creative Scotland last November.

During the same month Word Up received £104,482 from the government.

Almost £175m of emergency support has been provided to the culture, heritage and events sector since the start of the pandemic.

Ms Gilruth added: "I look forward now to working with the sectors to build for the future.”

Joan Parr, interim director of arts and engagement said: “Our first priority continues to be supporting the recovery and renewal of Scotland’s art and creative sector as Covid-19 restrictions are eased and the sector can open up again more fully.

“Nevertheless, we remain acutely aware of the critical challenges faced by so many cultural organisations, and we know how vital this funding is in continuing to help protect jobs and support the sustainability of a sector that has felt the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic so significantly.”