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• Successful community projects across the UK will receive up to 拢2 million for the first time, with three heritage theatres winning the top awards
• Funding will ensure local people continue to reap the benefits of their valued community assets, preserving them for future generations

Museums, pubs, parks and cinemas across the country will be kept alive by a 拢25 million rescue package announced today (22/12/23).

Successful bidders will be given a share of the Community Ownership Fund 鈥� a funding pot rescuing community places that form the beating heart of a local community.

More than 70 treasured buildings across the UK will be saved, protecting important community spaces that mean so much to local people. 拢2 million will be granted to individual projects for the first time ever, with three historic theatres set to benefit from significant funding in this round.

Just over 拢2 million will go to the historic Wolverhampton Grand Theatre so it can buy a neighbouring 1800s building and turn it into an adjoining venue. This will allow the theatre - which just turned 129 years old - more space to host creative and performing arts activities.

Adrian Jackson, CEO and Artistic Director of the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre said:

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is committed to supporting and empowering our cherished community, therefore the grant from the Community Ownership Fund will allow us to continue to enhance the cultural and creative enrichment within the City.

The theatre has been developing major creative expansion plans for the past six years and these will now finally become a reality. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for recognising the significant impact our work will have on the local community and for this exciting new chapter.

Another 拢2 million will help secure the long-term future of the King鈥檚 Theatre in Edinburgh, one of Scotland鈥檚 most historic and significant theatres. The heritage building will be extended to improve its disability access. A new community hub will also allow the theatre to host more activities like song-writing and singing, story-telling, language-cafes, relaxed performances and volunteering.

In another win for theatres, over 拢1 million will restore the historic Jacobs Wells Baths building in Bristol, to bring its live dance and theatre performances to life again. The Grade II Listed building will also provide space for other community activities like jobs fairs, flea markets, dance and fitness classes, youth support and targeted arts and heritage projects that bring young and old people together.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove said:

Investing in communities improves lives 鈥� whether that鈥檚 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鈥檓 delighted to be funding these projects.

The latest round of the Community Ownership Fund will also be supporting:

• 26 community centres and village halls;
• 14 creative buildings including museums, theatres, cinemas, music venues and art galleries;
• 12 sports and leisure clubs;
• 3 commercial buildings for vital community shops, including a post office in rural Derbyshire;
• 8 community pubs; and
• 4 parks and green spaces.

Minister for Levelling Up Jacob Young said:

We鈥檝e had brilliant bids from every corner of the UK and I鈥檓 delighted we鈥檙e supporting an extra 72 projects with almost 拢25 million 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.

Scottish projects in this round will be supported with 拢8 million of funding, with a further 拢1.4 million for Northern Ireland and almost 拢440,000 for Wales. So far, the Community Ownership Fund has awarded a total 拢13.6 million for 43 projects in Scotland; 拢5.5 million for 24 projects in Northern Ireland and 拢4.2 million for 19 projects in Wales.

聽In England, the latest funding round will support:

• 4 projects worth 拢1.2 million in the North West 鈥� including 拢360,000 so the community in Ashton can buy and restore their Golden Lion pub
• 3 projects worth almost 拢600,000 in the North East 鈥� including over 拢273,000 to preserve the medieval St Mary鈥檚 Church in Gateshead, so it can host more community events
• 8 projects worth 拢2.3 million in Yorkshire and the Humber - including 拢240,000 to restore Charlotte Bront毛鈥檚 birthplace in Bradford and boost local tourism
• 6 projects worth almost 拢2 million in the East Midlands 鈥� including 拢700,000 to transform Loughborough鈥檚 1930s Generator Hall into an arts and culture hub for the community
• 5 projects worth 拢3 million in the West Midlands 鈥� including 拢2 million for the historic Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
• 6 projects worth 拢1.6 million in the East of England 鈥� including 拢300,000 to turn a three-acre site into a new community park with a play area and outdoor gym in Canvey Island

The Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young visited two Community Ownership Fund projects in Gateshead this week (20/12/23). One of them included the Fighting All Cancers Together Family Community Centre which supports people diagnosed with cancer. The building recently finished renovation works using 拢300,000 from the last round of the Community Ownership Fund. The minister also visited the heritage St Mary鈥檚 Church which has just been awarded over 拢273,000 for energy efficient works, so it can continue to host its community.

The next funding window of the Community Ownership Fund is now open for bids and will close on 31 January 2024. Projects are being urged to apply for up to 拢2 million.

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Notes to editors:

• More details on applying for the next Community Ownership Fund can be found at

• To see the full list of projects awarded in the Community Ownership Fund Round 3, Window 2 please visit

• Development support is available to applicants via the