The funding will create two ‘Business Bubbles’ for small businesses, providing confidential workspaces equipped with modern technology.
Lincolnshire County Council has been awarded £211,200 for the project, by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, delivered by Arts Council England.
At Lincoln and Spalding library, drop-in workspaces will be created for small businesses and start-ups. Kitted out with acoustic booths and modern technology, these will offer flexible and confidential space to work from as and when they need to.
Businesses using the bubbles will also be able to use the libraries as a registered business address, and a ‘poste restante’ service will be available.
In Lincoln, an open plan business lounge located next to the Business Bubble will provide space for client meetings.
At Spalding Library, the Business Bubble will also provide more opportunities for us to work with local education providers to address employability and digital skills shortages in the area.
The funding is part of the Government’s £48m Cultural Investment Fund (CIF), which has provided grants to more than 60 galleries, museums, libraries and cultural venues across the country to improve access to the arts, safeguard cultural assets for future generations, and power economic growth through culture.
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson, said:
“Culture is the bedrock of society. It brings people together, entertains and informs us, and helps us to understand our common past and shared future.
“Today we are announcing a raft of new funding for treasured cultural institutions up and down the country.
“This will help them to continue their great work, advance our work to level up access to arts and culture so they can be enjoyed by people no matter where they live, and protect these cherished institutions for future generations to enjoy.”
Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive member for culture and heritage at Lincolnshire County Council, said:
“We’re always looking at ways to develop the range of services and facilities offered by the library service to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our residents.
“By transforming areas of our Lincoln and Spalding Libraries in this way, we’re enhancing the value and role of the library service, extending the benefits of local libraries to small business and supporting them at a time when Lincolnshire is emerging from the pandemic into a new economic landscape.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council England, said:
“Our artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries are experts in making villages, towns and cities better places to live, work, visit or play. This investment means they’ll be able to help more people across England to lead happier, more creative lives”