A brace of cultural projects in the West Midlands have received a welcome cash boost.
The former Ikea store in Coventry and the Scala arts centre in Worcester have collectively received £7.3 million.
They are among six projects across England to share in a slice of more than £47 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
In Coventry, the old Ikea store in Queen Victoria Road is being repurposed to become a new cultural and visitor attraction.
A grant of £5 million will go towards long-running plans being worked up with the partners such as Arts Council to transform part of the building into a national collections centre.
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Coventry University could also rent some floorspace and open a café and gallery while the building's lower floors might be rented out alongside a new reception and foyer.
Ikea opened there in 2007 but closed in 2020 shortly before the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic.
The original contractor for the revamp scheme collapsed last year but Coventry City Council says it has now found a new firm to take on the job.
In Worcester, a trio of projects have been awarded £2.3 million to deliver new cultural and public spaces around the Scala arts venue in Angel Place.
These are a new co-working space to provide offices and studios for artistic companies to create work.
Two mezzanine floors of the Corn Exchange building will be brought back into use through the creation of ‘Next Level Food' which will provide a space for more events and exhibitions and modern catering facilities.
Finally, a social area for younger generations will be created through the ‘Angel Place is Your Space' hub.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "Every corner of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ has something unique to offer and our rich creative capital must not be underestimated.
"Our Plan for Change promises growth for every region and I've seen first-hand how these projects are igniting growth in their communities.
"Through investing in these critical cultural projects, we can empower both local leaders and people to really tap into their potential and celebrate everything their home town has to offer. This means more tourism, more growth and more money in people's pockets."
The other projects included in this round of funding are £15 million for the National Railway Museum in York and £10 million to revamp 'Temple Works', a derelict building in Leeds to house the British Library North.
A further £10 million has been awarded to the International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum in Liverpool and finally £5 million for the National Poetry Centre, also in Leeds.
These projects were originally announced but unfunded as part of the Levelling Up culture and capital funding announced in the 2024 Spring Budget.
