GOVERNMENT-backed funding has potentially saved a Flintshire music venue from closing its doors for good.

The Tivoli Venue, in Buckley, has received a £17,500 grant from a Welsh Government-backed scheme that is intended to help get them through the tough times brought on by coronavirus.

The Leader previously reported that the independent music space may close for good if financial support was not forthcoming after the pandemic forced dozens of events to be cancelled for public health safety.

Speaking about the funding, town mayor Cllr Arnold Woolley said: "My children used the Tivoli when they were teens and it has been a notable venue for the town. It is a notable landmark for Buckley and it would be a tragedy if we lost it permanently I'm sure.

"It is part of of the town's infrastructure and having Buckley without the Tivoli would see the town diminished. Despite the claims of other localities, Buckley has a large population of young people who enjoy the kind of music and atmosphere that the Tivloi traditionally and successfully put on.

"The thought of them not having that available to them permanently would be most unfortunate."

The funding, announced by Creative Wales for Grassroots Music venues, is part of the Welsh Government’s £18m support for the cultural sector.

More than £400,000 in funding has now been allocated to several venues across Wales to assist the music industry during the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.

Deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “We have listened to our many stakeholders and we understand that these are uncertain times for businesses and organisations across Wales and fully recognise the massive and unprecedented challenges coronavirus is having on the fabric of Welsh life.

“The Welsh Government is committed to doing everything possible to support the resilience, creativity and partnership which is being shown by the sector.

“This funding will help the sector to withstand this difficult time and to hopefully thrive again - and bring communities together once more when the emergency has passed.”

Gerwyn Evans, deputy director at Creative Wales, said: “The grassroots live music industry is crucial to the development of musicians in Wales. The current climate has created extremely challenging circumstances for venues, their staff and the wider music industry.

“We created this fund to try to ease the financial burden across the industry to help venues, studios, freelancers and anyone else within the music industry affected by COVID-19.”