A POPULAR nightclub is set to reopen next week thanks to a funding grant for refurbishments.

As the nighttime economy gets ready to reopen next Monday, July 19, the iconic Middlesbrough Empire is ready to open its doors thanks to a  £350,000 grant from the Arts Council England through its Cultural Recovery Award.  

 

Thanks to substantial backing from the Arts Council, the 1899 palace of varieties can continue its journey as purveyors of live music, world-class DJs, the biggest weekend entertainment and empire sized events. 

 

The funding has been a much needed helping hand for the Middlesbrough Empire to help the cultural gem plan for reopening and recovery and thrive in the better times ahead as they transition to a sustainable business model after more than a year of closure.

 

A team from Azets led by Andrew Rowe helped the Middlesbrough Empire navigate the complex funding submission, providing financial information to support the application. Azets has advised them for a number of years and was instrumental in advising them throughout the pandemic.

 

Ashley Wem, Managing Director at the Middlesbrough Empire said:  “We’ve spent the last 12 months refurbishing the venue and installing brand new state of the art sound systems and lighting rigs to improve the experience as well as installing covid secure toilets amongst other things. I’m confident that we’ll come back bigger and better than before. There’s lots of pent-up demand and our reputation as the preeminent venue in the North East should help us thrive in the future. 

“We’re also aware that many arts institutions in the region didn’t receive funding despite going through the application process so we’re trying to support them in whatever way we can. From stocking products from Fight Back lager and ales and Signature Brew, where a proportion of the sale goes to supporting grassroots music venues in the UK, we want to show solidarity to other venues across the North East.”