· Communities across the UK
to benefit from latest allocations of £150 million Community
Ownership Fund
· The funding will help
community groups take ownership of local institutions that have
fallen into disrepair or are under threat of closure and give
them a new lease of life – building stronger communities
· A derelict cinema, local
pubs and a rugby club are among community assets which will
receive cash
A derelict cinema, local pubs and a rugby club are among 52
community assets which will be revived thanks to almost £13
million of government levelling up funding.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has
today (30 June 2023) announced the latest allocations from the
second round of the £150 million Community Ownership Fund.
The funding will help community groups take ownership of local
institutions that have fallen into disrepair or are under threat
of closure and give them a new lease of life. This will ensure
they continue to provide vital services, create opportunities and
boost local economies, while restoring optimism, hope and pride
in UK communities.
Successful projects include the restoration of the derelict
Paignton Picture House in Devon, which used to be frequented by
detective novelist Agatha Christie, and the creation of a new
live music venue at the historic Crown pub in Birmingham. Rugby
union club Blackheath FC in London – the oldest independent rugby
club – will also be able to buy their ground and facilities for
the first time in their 165-year history with the
funding.
Recent changes to the fund now mean that the amount of funding
all projects can bid for has increased from £250,000 to £1
million. This is making it easier than ever for community groups
to seize back control of prized local assets that are at risk of
being lost forever.
, Secretary of State for the
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities,
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 Community Ownership Fund has now delivered £36.8m investment
for a total of 150 projects across the UK, including £3m for
Northern Ireland, £5.2m for Scotland, £3.2m for Wales and £25.5m
for England.
Projects receiving funding include:
· The derelict Paignton
Picture House in Devon will be able to reopen as an independent
cinema and performance venue.
· Rugby union club Blackheath
FC in London will be able to buy the club ground and facilities
for the first time in their 165-year history, giving them the
opportunity to generate commercial income and continuously
improve the team and the facilities.
· The historic Crown pub in
Birmingham will reopen as a progressive live music venue with
seven music themed hotel rooms above.
· Hendon High Street in
Sunderland will receive money to create opportunities for
residents to explore their own enterprise ideas and create work
for themselves.
· North Edinburgh Arts in
Scotland will be refurbished to create a state-of-the-art hub for
the new and existing community which has historically been
overlooked.
· Three pubs in Wales will
receive a total of £694,250 to allow them to stay open and serve
the needs of their communities.
· Seacourt Print Workshop in
Northern Ireland will be transformed into a flagship visual arts
centre with a printmaking workshop and artists workspace - a
unique cultural offer in the country.
· The Lambert Hospice in
North Yorkshire will be restored and renovated to become the
first hospice in the area, removing the need for local people to
travel long distances across the district for end-of-life care
and support.
· Cotherstone Community Park
in Durham will be transformed into a free-to-use park containing
playgrounds, a football pitch, and outdoor table
tennis.
Following the success of the second round of the Community
Ownership Fund, a third round has now begun with the first window
for bids closing on 12 July 2023. The dates of future bidding
windows will be announced in due course.
Notes to editors:
· Community Ownership Fund:
prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
· Community Ownership Fund:
successful bidders - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
