Documents have revealed that Sacha Lord's company, Primary Event Solutions, received £401,928 from Arts Council England's Covid-19 support fund in 2021. However, the application for this funding has been deemed misleading, with allegations that it claimed false achievements to secure the grant [b21fe350].
The funding controversy has raised significant concerns among arts charities regarding the allocation of public money during the pandemic. Lord's application included a request for £10,500 specifically for a website redesign, which has further fueled scrutiny over the appropriateness of the claims made [b21fe350].
Investigations by both Arts Council England and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have been ongoing since May 2024, as officials seek to determine the legitimacy of the funding application and the subsequent use of the funds [b21fe350].
Sacha Lord, a prominent figure in the night-time economy sector, is set to make a public appearance on September 28, 2024, for the Bee Network's night bus pilot, amidst the ongoing investigations. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has stated that all claims related to the funding will be properly investigated, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the use of public funds [b21fe350].