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A Cardiff-based firm that designs and builds set for West End productions has secured funding from Lloyds Bank to support it through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bay Productions, which works with opera and theatre producers, including Cameron Mackintosh and the English National Opera, has secured a six-figure funding package via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

The funding will support the firm’s cashflow while it is unable to operate as normal during the pandemic.

CBILS, which is administered on behalf of the ������Ƶ Government by the British Business Bank provides low interesting funding, via more than 50 accredited lenders, of up to £5m.

Bay Production's�� 50-strong team has seen a number of its projects paused. This includes the set for the new Disney musical, Frozen, which is scheduled to open in London later this year and sets for Matthew Bourne’s ballet The Red Shoes and Derren Brown’s live tour, Showman.

It has forloughed staff.

With the business’ overheads now covered for a period of extended closure, Bay Productions’ directors are carrying out preparatory work to ensure it is able to accommodate new projects, including a contract with the BBC for Eastenders, when it returns to production.

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Peter Jones, director at Bay Productions, said:“The current pandemic has brought the shutters down not only for our business but for our clients who have large amounts invested in bringing shows to the theatre both in the ������Ƶ and overseas.

“We launched our business towards the end of the last recession, which was a somewhat uncertain time. We’re once again facing into the unknown. However, the team at��Lloyds��Bank��has brought a calmness to proceedings.

"The��bank��has put us in a position where we can bridge any gaps that appear in our cashflow while projects await completion. The funding will also enable us to spring back into action when the time comes.”

Jonathan Cave, relationship manager at��Lloyds��Bank , said:��“I’ve watched Bay Productions grow over the last nine years as the team of designers has taken on bigger and more elaborate projects over time. The big-budget sets they produce are enjoyed by theatre-goers everywhere. It’s a real privilege to be able to support them, providing the financial stability needed for them to pick up where they left off when it is appropriate.

“The funding will also benefit the business’ furloughed staff.�� We remain committed to being by the side of businesses, helping them find the right emergency funding as part of the £2bn of arrangement fee-free finance we’ve set aside to help firms affected by Covid-19.”