New round of Levelling Up community fund opens

Community groups across the UK can now bid for government Levelling Up funding to revive and gain control of local venues and community hubs.

The second round of the £150m Community Ownership Fund has officially opened, so groups can bid for a share to restore cultural buildings at risk of being bulldozed or falling into disrepair.

39 projects have already benefitted from the first round of funding, including an Oldham boxing gym, a historic spinners mill in Leigh and Bury football stadium Gigg Lane. 

Minister for Levelling Up, the Union and Constitution, Neil O’Brien MP said: ‘We want to help communities across the UK save the pubs, sports clubs and historical buildings which matter most to them, and would otherwise be at risk of being lost forever.

‘This is part of our plan to spread opportunity, boost local pride and level up every corner of the UK while growing the economy to address the cost of living.’

The fund’s inclusivity and flexibility was improved back in May to ensure more communities could apply for grants to support their local economies.

This was achieved through expanding the eligibility criteria, so buildings do not need to have had a use within the last five years for a group to apply to rescue it.

Applicants with a minimum of a 15-year years will now also be considered for funding, while prior to this a lease of 25 years was required to be accepted.

A previous project in Oldham saw £550,000 of funding going towards a historic Victorian building, which has now been converted into a boxing gym and personal development centre for young people.

Eric Noi, head coach at Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre said: ‘The gym is already a major part of the community, and this funding will help us improve our facilities and allow us to continue supporting people of all ages, including some of the most vulnerable in society.

‘For organisations such as ours, funding like this is a vital lifeline – without it we would not be able to help people improve their lives, fitness and futures.’

Photo by Magnus Lunay