The funding was also available to town and parish councils.
Support for community amenities removed
The scheme, which was to run until the end of 2025, was created to help local groups take on assets such as community halls, leisure facilities, shops, sports grounds, swimming pools, museums, arts centres and local pubs.
Since its 2021 commencement, 409 projects have received over £140million.
This could have a devastating effect on those working hard to save our country's public houses as well as on groups wishing to take on other community facilities.
Current efforts
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This could have a devastating effect on those working hard to save our country's public houses as well as on groups wishing to take on other community facilities.
Current efforts
Efforts are now underway by organisations including the Campaign for Real Ale to ensure that assistance remains in other tangible ways.
This includes discussions with officials in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government over the current review of other support schemes. These include Assets of Community Value and the hoped for introduction of the Right to Buy to replace the current Right to Bid.
Shocking losses
Shocking losses
The scale of long-term pub closures is shocking and the support for the struggling hospitality industry is abysmal. Communities are losing their centres of social interaction, economic benefits and local heritage on a daily basis.
Here, Happy Pint urges all to lobby their Councils and MPs to support one of the most important cornerstones of our society – the British Pub.
Here, Happy Pint urges all to lobby their Councils and MPs to support one of the most important cornerstones of our society – the British Pub.
The Government statement (23rd December 2024)
The Community Ownership Fund is now closed. There will be no further application windows on the COF programme. We have taken this difficult decision due to the challenging inheritance left by the previous government.
Whilst we are closing the Community Ownership Fund, this government remains committed to the communities’ sector and community empowerment.
The government will deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership. And we will seek to support high streets by strengthening Business Improvement Districts which have helped to improve town and city centres across the United Kingdom for 20 years, while ensuring they operate to high standards and are accountable to their communities.
Details:
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