UK Gov saves 6 vital community spaces from closure in Scotland

The Community Ownership Fund from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will safeguard these cherished venues for future generations. The funding will keep numerous communal areas accessible, enhancing the economy, and aligning with the government's objective to promote economic growth.

In the UK, it has been announced by the Department that a sum of £33.5 million will be provided to safeguard over 80 community projects.

In Scotland, there are certain projects that have been granted funding, such as:

The government is providing funding to renovate a supported living community in East Renfrewshire, with the aim of creating a community hub that meets the needs of its residents. This project will involve the creation of new spaces, such as a café and community areas, as well as offices for support staff. These upgrades will greatly benefit the community.

The Edinburgh movie theater is set to reopen with remarkable upgrades that assure its longevity. The cinema will showcase films that aren't usually shown anywhere else and will also host emerging film festivals that both locals and tourists can enjoy.

Turning this community facility in Midlothian into a top-notch 'Youth Hub' which will offer young individuals specific areas for them to engage in more athletic and artistic activities right in their own neighborhood.

Fresh funds have been allocated to construct top-notch sports facilities in Glasgow to foster greater involvement in football and other grassroots sports within the community. Additionally, fitness sessions and communal gatherings will be held to promote social bonds and activities.

According to Jacob Young, who is the Minister for Levelling Up, commented:

We understand the significance of these valuable resources to individuals throughout the nation. They serve as a crucial source of support for both the youth and elderly and act as the central hub of our towns, cities, and villages. That is why we are taking action to safeguard them through a sizeable rescue plan, preventing their closure or permanent disappearance and maintaining their crucial position at the core of our cherished communities.

The Government Minister for Scotland in the United Kingdom, Donald Cameron, stated:

The latest round of the Community Ownership Fund from the UK Government has awarded more than £3.8m to six Scottish projects. I had the pleasure of visiting Filmhouse in Edinburgh, which received £1.54 million, and witnessed firsthand how much this award meant to them in their efforts to reopen the venue. The other recipients of the award include Macaulay College in the Western Isles, Castlemilk Community Football Trust in Glasgow, and community centers in Penicuik, Kilmarnock, and Newton Mearns. This brings the total number of community assets across Scotland receiving funding from the fund to 47, with a combined total of almost £17 million. I urge other community groups in Scotland to investigate whether they are eligible to apply for the next and final round. With this funding, the UK Government is investing more than £3 billion into leveling up across Scotland.

One of the projects that will be receiving money is the Edinburgh Filmhouse. It started functioning in 1979, but due to deterioration over time, it shut its doors in 2022. After receiving £1.5 million, it will once again be able to open up to the public. A full refurbishment will take place, and the venue will be showcasing the latest and greatest movies from around the world.

The Head of Filmhouse in Edinburgh, Ginnie Atkinson, stated:

We are extremely happy to announce that our application for investment from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund has been approved. The reopening of Filmhouse is something that many have been hoping for, and now it is not only possible to reopen it but also to renovate it completely, making it an exceptional cinema venue that meets the demands of contemporary audiences. Furthermore, the investment will also enable us to construct a small, multi-purpose fourth screen that will aid us in enhancing the diverse cultural film program and be accessible for educational purposes.

People who have previously benefited from the program in Scotland are as follows:

According to Graham Thomson, who is a trustee at Bailliefields Community Hub SCIO, it has been noted that...

Getting the COF award was a big accomplishment in the Phase 2 turnaround of the Bailliefields Community Hub. It's helped us move forward with the project and appoint a contractor to start working on site in early March 2024. The goal is to have the project fully finished by the end of July 2024. Once that happens, the building will become a warm, inviting space for many different local groups, including those for dementia, disabilities, local schools, and kids' nurseries. It's exciting to see how we're repurposing an existing building for this new use.

Laura McNeil from Gordon Rural Action said that funding and retail support are important.

Thanks to the generosity of The Community Ownership Fund and The MacRobert Trust, we've successfully acquired the premises for our Bike Recycling initiative. This purchase guarantees our long-term presence and reinforces our mission to prevent bikes from ending up in the landfill. Furthermore, it enables us to create opportunities for individuals to access bikes, exercise, learn new skills and perhaps discover volunteering options. Our project has provided employment to five individuals, two of whom are young people who started with us as trainees. We're glad to have had 360 donated bikes in the previous year, from which we redistributed 200 bikes to the community.

This marks the third instance of funding being granted in the third round of the Community Ownership Fund, resulting in more than £103m being allocated towards a total of 333 projects that have been successfully saved thus far.

In this stage, Scottish plans will receive financial assistance of £3.8 million, while Northern Ireland will get an additional £2.8 million, and Wales will receive £3.1 million. The Community Ownership Fund has already given funding of £17 million to 47 projects in Scotland, £8.1 million to 31 plans in Northern Ireland, and over £7 million to 24 projects in Wales.

After the first round of the Fund, the Ministers have supported all proposals that meet the requirements for approval. This technique enables the Department to finance a large number of initiatives. In forthcoming rounds, ministers may opt to allocate resources to regions that are not well-represented to address any regional disparities.

The last stage of the Community Ownership Fund is Round 4. During this stage, there will be two periods where funding will be allocated. The opening of Round 4 Window 1 is scheduled for 25 March 2024, and it will close on 10 April 2024.