Barrowden Village Hall plans awarded £300,000 from Government’s Community Ownership Fund

A bid to build a new community venue has moved a step closer after it was awarded £300,000 of Government ‘levelling-up’ money.

The decision to award the Community Ownership Fund cash to Barrowden Village Hall Development Group was confirmed on Friday.

It is a huge moment for a project which began back to 2016, and Brian Edwards, member of Barrowden Village Hall Development Group, was ‘absolutely delighted’.

“This is an exciting project to replace an ageing village hall with a modern fit-for-purpose community facility with the aim of bringing support and services closer to local people and meet community needs in this rural part of Rutland,” he said.

“The project that has been under development for over seven years and reaching this point is a reflection of a strong community spirit in the area.”

The group has received support in principle from Barrowden Parish Council to proceed with a public works loan request to help meet the total cost which is estimated at around £800,000.

Development group chairman Paul Diver said the project was now dependent on £400k of lottery money and smaller amounts from other funders.

Plans to demolish the dilapidated 96-year-old village hall and build a new community hub on the site were approved last month.

The new building will include two hub spaces as well as a kitchen and store.

The three-phase development will ultimately aim to bring the village shop and surgery, which also share the Kings Lane/Wakerley Road site, under one roof.

Alicia Kearns, Rutland and Melton MP, became an active supporter of the scheme.

“After meeting the team and supporting their bid by raising it with the Government, I know how much this funding means to them, and their journey to secure this funding has, by no means, been smooth-sailing.

“The pandemic forced initial plans back to the drawing board, but thanks to the group’s hard work and incredible vision, they have now received the funding they need for this wonderful project.”

The group hopes to put the plans out to tender this autumn, and have it built by the following autumn.

The current hall could be taken down at the end of the year and alternative interim venues are being arranged for their current hall users.

Rutland County Councillor Karen Payne (Con – Ketton) added: “Barrowden Village Hall is a central and valuable asset to our local community.

“This is a great start to the fundraising journey and a credit to the village hall committee, residents and our MP, Alicia Kearns, who all put so much hard work into achieving this award.”