Two volunteers from the Guild Hall Youth Theatre in the Bluestreak Arts supported Preston 2112 project

An extra £10,000 is set to be ploughed into Preston’s arts scene by the city council.

Following the collapse of arts organisation Prescap in March the council has been re-distributing the £21,375 left as a result of it ending.

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Ribbleton-based Bluestreak Arts, who put on Guild Hall Youth Theatre and are putting on arts events at the Guild, has had a bid for £10,000 approved.

The extra funding is set to help make Bluestreak more sustainable, as questions around its funding where raised when it originally bid for more money.

Council officers note it was “rejected as they failed to supply the essential supporting document on time, namely financial accounts.”

They also note the demise of Prescap means “there is now a distinct gap in accessible, diverse, community arts provision to enrich the quality of life of Preston residents.”

Creative director of Bluestreak Arts, Graham Easterlow, said the funds would allow Guild legacy projects to go ahead.

He said: “This funding will mean more help and support for the independent arts community in the city.

“It’s important we’re able to fund arts projects, like the Guild Hall Youth Theatre and support our future artists. There is obviously a lot of buzz around the Guild but we have to continue to develop the arts.

“Since the demise of Prescap there is a lot of work to do to ensure there is an artistic infrastructure that allows us to operate like an arts city and not a town.”

Cabinet member for resources councillor Martyn Rawlinson approved the extra funding for Bluestreak.

He said: “Preston City Council is delighted to be able to support Bluestreak Arts from its remaining grants funding. This funding was always intended for arts and culture and Blue Streak only just missed the cut in the original round of bids.

“The £10,000 grant will enable Blue Streak to continue to provide opportunities for young people and vulnerable groups to improve their well-being through arts and culture projects in the city, including the Guild Hall Youth Theatre and Preston Guild events.”

Bluestreak’s current projects, which will be supported by the £10,000 funding, include the recreation of the Preston Pleasure Gardens in Brockholes Wood and a soundscape of the battle of Preston on Frenchwood Recreation Ground.

The £10,000 was approved by councillor Rawlinson on Monday 13 August and will be paid out by the end of the month unless it’s called in by councillors – who may choose to scrutinise the awarding of the funding.

You can see the documents relating to the decision on the council website.

What do you think about the decision? A good use of council funding? Let us know in the comments below