Funding boost for West Midlands cultural events

Cultural events in the West Midlands have been handed more than £1.4m in Commonwealth Games legacy funding.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the UK government are distributing the money from a £70m underspend on the games held in Birmingham in 2022.

The Black Country Festival, to be held in July, will get £365,000, and the Godiva Festival 'Worldwide Welcome' event, held in Coventry between 5 July and 7 July, will get £500,000.

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Meanwhile, the Reggae Fever Celebration of Caribbean Culture being held in Coventry on 20 July 2024 will get £250,000, and the Birmingham Weekender Festival being held from 22 August to 25 August will get £350,000.

Several sporting events being held this year will share around £1.6m.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “It was always our intention that the Commonwealth Games should leave a lasting legacy far beyond the sporting spectacle - as wonderful as that was.
 
“Collectively, this backing will bring in hundreds of thousands of people to our region, give a welcome boost to local businesses and provide valuable jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people. 

"I look forward to seeing the difference this support makes on the ground and celebrating all that is great about the West Midlands in the months and years ahead.”

DCMS Minister Stuart Andrew said the Commonwealth Games brought millions of pounds to the local economy and £870m gross value added to the wider UK economy.

"This government's aim is to make sure Birmingham's legacy is felt in the region for years to come," he said.

"From a celebration of Caribbean Culture in Coventry to a judo competition in Walsall, hundreds of thousands of people will directly benefit from these diverse legacy projects across the West Midlands thanks to the £70m games underspend."