A Moray performance venue has received a funding boost to cover income that will be lost during the coronavirus shutdown.
Events at Elgin Town Hall have been cancelled in line with social distancing rules banning large gatherings.
That blow has left the charity that runs the venue with a gap in its finances as there are no ticket sales to generate income.
Now, however, the group has had its financial concerns eased thanks to a grant from the third sector resilience fund run by Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and the Corra Foundation.
It is an emergency pot for charities across Scotland with cash difficulties and its grant to Elgin Town Hall for the Community will total £35,000 to cover running costs from March to June.
Chairman Mike Devenney said: “As has been the case with many charities across Moray, the unforeseen onset of the impact of the coronavirus stopped all activities at the Town Hall in their tracks in mid-March.
“Given that the vast majority of our income flows from tickets sales for our increasingly popular events, the impact on our funding was immediate.
“And it will not improve until the public can start to visit the hall again in large numbers.
“The panel were incredibly quick in responding to our request and have offered us funding that will we will utilise through to the end of June.
“This grant will make all the difference to us over that period of time, although we do realise that we are likely to face a period of uncertainty that will extend beyond then.”
