Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Matthew Dresch

Brits to get £150m fund to help locals buy their favourite boozers and sports clubs

Brits will be able to buy their local pub through a £150-million fund set to be announced in Rishi Sunak's budget this week.

The 'community ownership fund' will also allow locals to take over endangered sports clubs, theatres, music venues and post office buildings.

The pot of cash will become available this summer, with groups being encouraged to bid for up to £250,000 matched-funding.

In 'exceptional' circumstances applicants will be able to ask for up to £1 million to save beloved local treasures, such as sports clubs or grounds.

Chancellor Mr Sunak said: “Pubs and sports clubs are the heart and soul of our local towns and villages – they’re the glue that keeps us together.

Rishi Sunak will make the funding available in his budget this week (Getty Images)

“This fund will help to ensure vital local institutions aren’t lost to those who treasure them most.”

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, welcomed the announcement of the four-year fund.

She said: “We welcome this funding which recognises the vital role our pubs have played during the virus and should continue to play as the heart of our communities as we recover.”

Pubs have been badly affected by the pandemic (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Mr Sunak will also announce £2.8 million in cash for the UK and Ireland to bid to host the 2030 World Cup, with £25 million extra for grassroots football.

This is enough to build around 700 new pitches across the country.

The Chancellor is also set to reveal £1.2 million for the Women's Euros to go ahead in July 2022 - and £28 million for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.