Local MP Alan Campbell has welcomed the news that the Old Low Lights is to be among the first to receive funding as part of Historic England’s response to Covid-19.

The Net North Shields charity supports more than 150 volunteers to help manage and care for the Grade II listed Old Low Light building on North Shield’s Fish Quay as a heritage and community Centre. The charity is supported by more than 150 volunteers and runs a café, a gallery and community space for use by local groups and usually offers a full programme of walks, talks, events, exhibitions, music sessions and concerts.

The £9,399 grant from Historic England will enable the heritage centre to pay its rent and cover other running costs over the next three months. The aim is to keep the Old Low Light in public use, so that when social restrictions lift further, the centre can continue to provide people in the area – which suffers from high deprivation – with facilities, activities, volunteering opportunities and an exhibition space.

Centre director, Guy Moody, said: “The grant is great news for the Old Low Light Heritage Centre and we are grateful to Historic England for giving us this lifeline. Although we are closed due to the Covid-19 lockdown we still have bills to pay. This grant, along with some other fund raising, means that we are in a much better position to begin early preparations to re-open at least part of the centre as soon as it is safe to do so. Our many volunteers and supporters will be delighted to hear this news.”