The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced that the funding allocations have been made from the second round of the Community Ownership Fund.
Almost £13 million of government funding is being allocated to 52 community assets around the country, allowing these assets to be given a new lease of life and continue serving their communities. This will be done by allowing community groups to take ownership of the institutions, which may have fallen into disrepair or are under the threat of closure, ensuring that optimism and pride can be restored within communities.
Thanks to recent changes, organisations that are bidding for funding are able to bid for £1 million, as opposed to the previous limit of £250,000. This will further facilitate the process of seizing back control of community assets that could, without intervention, be lost forever. So far, the Community Ownership Fund has allowed for £36.8 million worth funding for projects right around the UK. Broken down into the nations within the UK, the fund has contributed:
- £25.5 million in England
- £5.2 million for Scotland
- £3.2 million for Wales
- £3 million in Northern Ireland
Some examples of the projects that will be supported through funding include:
- The reopening of a derelict picture housing in Devon as an independent cinema and performance venue.
- A London rugby union club will be supported to purchase the club’s ground and facilities for the first time in 165 years of history, helping them to continue generating commercial income and improve facilities.
- A historic Birmingham pub will be reopened as a progressive live music venue with seven music themed hotel rooms.
- Hendon High Street in Sunderland will use funding to create enterprise opportunities for residents, helping them to create work for themselves.
- A new state-of-the-art hub will be created for new and existing community members in Scotland, with funding for North Edinburgh Arts.
- Almost £700,000 of funding is being allocated for the support of three Welsh pubs, helping them to remain open and continue serving the needs of the communities.
- In North Yorkshire, the Lambert Hospice is to be restored and renovated in order to become the first hospice in the area. Local people won’t need to travel long distances for end of life care and support through this measure.
- A community park in Durham is to be transformed into a free-to-use park for the community, with playgrounds, a football pitch and outdoor table tennis featured.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said:
“This cash will help to revive the vital community spaces which give people a sense of belonging and pride in their communities and allow them to thrive.
“We want people across the country to have great opportunities no matter where they live. Ensuring that they can continue to benefit from treasured local institutions is an important part of this.”
The process has already begun for the third round of the Community Ownership Fund, with projects having up until the 12th July 2023 to place their bids.
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