Campaign to save cherished community assets launched by Stuart Anderson MP
Stuart Anderson MP has called on the new government to continue funding schemes that have saved hundreds of cherished assets for the benefit of local communities. He has said that he wants the government to equip rural communities like Shropshire with the tools that are needed to ensure locally valued community assets are not lost by becoming derelict or being put up for sale following a change of use application.
As of 2023, there are 115 public houses and bars in the constituency. In 2020, that figure stood at 125. Stuart said that he is concerned by the loss of local pubs in recent years, with a number having recently been put up for conversion into other uses. Stuart has now called on the government to continue the Community Ownership Fund, which was launched by the last government with £150 million to help local groups take ownership of assets at risk of being lost to the community. Before the general election, the scheme had awarded £103.1 million to 333 projects - including rural pubs. Stuart said that he wants to see the fund continued to help communities by protecting locally important assets that deliver clear social benefits for residents.
Stuart has also called for an extension of the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund, which has already provided £3 million to support the modernisation and improvement of village halls across England. Before the general election was called, the previous government was planning to re-open the fund for a new round of applications during the summer. No announcements have yet been made by the new government, so Stuart is calling on it to clarify its intentions. In addition, Stuart has asked the government to continue the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), a rural top up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It provided allocations for Local Authorities in England to help address the additional needs and challenges facing rural areas. Under the last government, Shropshire was allocated almost £2.6 million to support local businesses, farms, and community infrastructure.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“South Shropshire is a beautiful place. From Church Stretton and Bishop’s Castle, to Clun and Ludlow, to Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock, each place has their own unique attraction and beauty, though often with very different needs and opportunities. I want to unlock the productive potential of each area, giving them the tools they need to thrive. That’s why it is right that the new government keeps the smaller, targeted support schemes that benefit rural areas such as the Rural England Prosperity Fund, the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund, and the Community Ownership Fund. These funds provide the extra help that helps make a real difference to what we can achieve, and I hope that the new government heeds my call to keep them.”
