The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published the list of successful bidders from the reopening of the first round of the Community Ownership Funding. This brings the total level of funding in the first round to almost £8m. Thus, helping communities across the UK take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of closure. In total, the government has committed to funding of £150m until 2024-25.
The funding round has helped rural pubs in areas such as West Cornwall and Melton Mowbray placing them into community ownership with the support of local people.
The government also announced funding for a sports academy in Northern Ireland, a community centre in Scotland, an historic chapel in County Durham and a village shop and post office in Dorset.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up said:
‘Pubs, historic buildings and sports clubs form a vital part of our heritage and for too many places they are a disappearing part of the local community. That is why we are helping local people take control of these beloved community assets, which would otherwise be lost.’
