Image: credit Morley Von Sternberg

The Battersea Arts Centre is to receive £1m government funding to help continue redevelopment work following a fire earlier this month at the Grade-II listed building.

A blaze broke out at the centre on 13 March and destroyed most of the Grand Hall. Work had already been undertaken to restore the building before the fire began.

The government, through Arts Council England, has already contributed £4.69m to the redevelopment project.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid announced the funding today. He said: "I was terribly sad to hear about the fire at the Arts Centre but was deeply relieved that no one was hurt. I have visited the centre to see the damage and met the very dedicated team of staff who have launched an impressive fundraising campaign and are doing everything to carry on as far as possible.

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"The Arts Centre are having to divert all their available resources into dealing with the aftermath and so I am pleased to be able to confirm that Government will provide £1m towards the ongoing redevelopment work to help get this important south London venue back on track."

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Through Arts Council funding the Government has already contributed more than £4.5 million to support the redevelopment of this important centre. And we are today making an additional £1m contribution to help restore the centre to its former glory so that it can continue its great work in showcasing arts and culture to 100,000 people each year."

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "I am delighted that we are providing £1m to support the restoration of the Battersea Arts Centre.

"This is a building of cultural importance so it is right that the Government is contributing to its restoration and doing what it can to get this venue back up and running so that it can continue its important work."

(IT/MH)