BOLTON’S biggest theatre is looking to the future after receiving nearly £2.5 million in national funding.

The Octagon is celebrating a huge funding boost of more than £2,456,200 in the latest round of Arts Council England investment.

It is part of a share of £414,286,244 being awarded to 831 organisations around England for 2018 to 2022.

The money will be received in grants of £614,060 over the four-year period and will go towards the charity’s various projects and performances in the local community.

Chief executive Roddy Gauld said the theatre was delighted to benefit from the Arts Council support. He added: “Although most of our income comes through box office sales, we’re a charity and funding makes a vital difference.

“This grant gives us a bedrock to plan ahead. It means we can present adventurous new productions, keep ticket prices low, and continue to work with young people, schools and the community.

“For 50 years now we’ve proudly made theatre here in Bolton, and this funding will mean that locally made productions can continue. 

“Over the past few years we’ve made a real effort to reach new audiences, and this is now set to continue. We’ll be doing more work with the community and we’ll be doing more shows out of the building, and we have exciting new plays in the pipeline.

“Grants like this are very competitive, so it’s a real mark of quality that we’ve been successful, and an incredible vote of confidence for the Octagon team. They’re an incredibly talented and hard-working community of creatives, staff and volunteers, and everybody is thrilled at the news.”

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Today’s Arts Council England announcement revealed which groups would be part of the National Portfolio — the collection of leading arts and cultural organisations that receive regular funding from the council.

In the north 230 organisations have received investment of an extra £21 million per year from the funding pot of Grant in Aid and National Lottery.

The investment in the Octagon follows a similar boost from the Arts Council of £1,842,180 between 2015 and 2018.

Elsewhere in the region the The Met in Bury received £402,320 , while Manchester’s biggest funding winner was the Royal Exchange, which will receive more than £9 million over the four years.

Sarah Maxfield, Arts Council England north area director, said: “Culture has a role to play in all our communities from the major cities to the north’s most rural areas — it brings us together, provides joy and solace, and builds a sense of identity."

“Our increased investment will mean that these organisations will be able to deliver great arts and cultural experiences for audiences and participants across the whole area.”