Northampton’s Delapré Abbey secures National Lottery Funding to help it through the pandemic

A Northampton attraction has received a sum of money as part of National Lottery Funding to continue its preservation work.

Delapré Abbey, which opened its doors for the first time in 2018, has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, due to not being able to generate its own revenue through admissions, events and weddings.

However the twelfth century abbey has now secured £129,500 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will give the attraction a huge boost and help it through these challenging times.

Richard Clinton, Chief Executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, said: “Delapré Abbey is a source of connection and pride within the local community and beyond, and we thank the National Lottery and its players for this funding, which will enable us to continue our work with a focus on community engagement, wellbeing, and growing the trust’s sustainability.

“We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – the money will enable us to drive forward initiatives that widen access to heritage such as our partnership with Warts and All Theatre, which will provide accessible and relevant programmes for young people.”

Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South, added: “I am delighted that Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust has secured this lifeline funding in what must be its most vulnerable and critical period of its existence.

“Delapré Abbey is nothing less than a treasure for Northampton and the County. I am so proud it is in my constituency and for the great opportunities it affords the local community.

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund, which is £50million of emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

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