Hackney Empire is going to receive £340,000 from the Arts Council to fund building repairs and maintenance.

This Grade II listed building in Mare Street was designed as a Music Hall by Frank Matcham in 1901 and was restored in 2004.

Chief Executive Clarie Middleton said today ‘We take our role as custodians of this magnificent Grade 2* building very seriously and this grant will enable us to address a great many of the issues that have beset the building over the last number of years including several major leaks and subsequent damp problems.

“We also pride ourselves on being accessible and inclusive to all sections of the community and a part of this grant will allow us to make the building even more accessible to wheelchair users and other disabled audience members.”