AN ARTS organisation in Bridgwater has been given £100,00 in funding.

The Engine Room has secured a grant from Sedgemoor District Council (SDC).

The money will help Somerset Film & Video – who are based in the building – to improve its creative services and refurbish The Engine Room.

At the moment only 50% of the building is being used, but the grant will allow Somerset Film & Video to carry out conversion works and to remodel the first floor.

Deb Richardson, creative director of Somerset Film & Video said: “The trustees and team at Somerset Film are delighted to receive this brilliant support from the District Council.

“This grant means we can make the Engine Room significantly more accessible and so offer more creative facilities to more people. It’s great news!”

Somerset Film & Video will also be able to expand their programme of activities and help residents to recover from Covid-19 by supporting projects that help people to learn to new skills or find employment.

SDC believe this is a worthy cause for the money and it will make a difference to Sedgemoor residents.

“We are pleased that, from our strong financial position, we are able to give this grant which make a real difference to the Engine Room and our businesses and residents,” added Councillor Duncan McGinty, leader of SDC.

“Additionally, by improving the first floor, this will mean that in the future, Somerset Film and Video will be able to improve the second floor, bringing the entire building back into use.”

The improvements to The Engine Room will include a disabled friendly lift and stairs, two additional meeting and seminar spaces, additional disabled access toilet and changing spaces and the installation of an air-sourced heat pump to reduce their carbon footprint.

In 2019, The Engine Room helped residents in a variety of ways. This included:

• Free computer access and Wi-Fi in their cafe

• Courses for all levels and on a range of creative activities from filmmaking, script writing and editing to entry level IT courses and creative one day courses

• Events, including an annual festival and specialist masterclasses

• Facilities and Equipment Hire

• Licensed cinema, two studios and editing suites – for rental in events and courses

• Free public access sessions where local residents have access to equipment and expertise through bookable sessions, which are staffed by professional filmmakers

• Providing a conference and meeting space

To find out more visit somersetfilm.com