UK GOVERNMENT FUND OPENS FOR BIDS FROM COMMUNITIES ACROSS SCOTLAND
People across Scotland are being given the chance to become owners of at-risk local pubs, theatres, post offices, sports grounds and corner shops thanks to the UK Government’s new £150 million Community Ownership Fund.
The move is part of the UK Government’s strategy to build back better from the pandemic by giving communities the power to save the local institutions that bring us together and foster a sense of community.
Details have been published today (Thursday 15 July) of how voluntary and community organisations across Scotland and the rest of the UK will be able to bid for up to £250,000 matched funding to buy or take over local assets and run them.
Up to £1 million will be available to establish sports clubs or help to buy sports grounds at risk without intervention - meaning a group of loyal supporters could become the Chairman and board at their beloved local team.
A total of £12.3 million has been set aside for community projects in Scotland, whether they be sporting and leisure facilities, cinemas and theatres, music venues, museums, galleries, parks, pubs, post office buildings and shops.
The Prime Minister unveiled more detail as part of a major speech today setting out how the UK Government will continue to level up all regions of the country as we bounce back from the pandemic.
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid said:
“This community ownership fund from the UK Government is a great way for local communities to build back better from the pandemic brining at risk venues into the community’s hands.
“Alongside the other fantastic programmes that the UK Government is running to help the whole of the UK to level up and recover from the pandemic, it is clear as day that the UK Government is delivering for Scotland.”