Gov’s £25m levelling-up scheme to aid community pubs and theatres
DLUHC will provide individual projects with up to £2m each for the first time
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has announced £25m of levelling-up funding to support over 70 pubs, cinemas and museums across the UK through its Community Ownership Fund.
The Community Ownership Fund, the most recent tranche of money, will be used to keep buildings open and community areas safe.
DLUHC will provide individual projects with up to £2m each for the first time.
The latest round of funding will be used to support 26 community centres and village halls, 14 creative buildings including museums and theatres, 12 sports and leisure clubs, three commercial buildings for vital community shops, as well as eight community pubs and four parks and green spaces.
In England, the latest funding round will also support four projects worth £1.2 million in the North West – including £360,000 so the community in Ashton can buy and restore their Golden Lion pub.
Housing secretary Michael Gove said: “Investing in communities improves lives – whether that’s rebuilding a community centre, rescuing historic pubs and theatres or upgrading sports facilities used by families every day.
“These are unique and cherished places, valued by local people of all ages, and we know how much they mean to communities. The Community Ownership Fund is about restoring pride in the places people call home and I’m delighted to be funding these projects.”
Jacob Young, minister for levelling-up, added: “We’ve had brilliant bids from every corner of the UK and I’m delighted we’re supporting an extra 72 projects with almost £25m of levelling-up funding going directly to community groups. We know this funding has the power to bring about meaningful change to local people – protecting local spaces, preserving historic buildings and transforming communities.”
