The government has announced a new round of funding to help communities buy their local pubs.
The Community Ownership Fund has been boosted by £6.7million which can be used to match fund input from local voluntary and community organisations that wish to take ownership of premises that have fallen into disrepair and who have a credible plan for future success.
Six pubs have already received a total of £1.5m funding, taking it to a total of 17 helped since the beginning of the year. The Community Ownership Fund is running for four years until 2024/25 with a total of £150million “to support the purchase and/or renovation costs of community assets.”
Proposals will need to prove the value of the asset to local people and that the asset can run sustainably for the long-term benefit of the community. There are detailed requirements on eligibility in order to show that the funding goes to projects with a robust plan for success.
As well as pubs, the fund can be used to support other community-valued facilities such as a local sports ground or a local shop.
Full details are available on the government’s website:
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP FUND
Nik Antona, Chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale said:
“Our locals are much more than just pubs or social clubs – they are cornerstones of community life which bring people together, provide local services and help to tackle loneliness and social isolation.
“That’s why the Community Ownership Fund is so important – offering a lifeline for groups which want to save or reopen their local for the benefit of their community.”
