£3m fund secured to improve village halls in England

A new £3m fund has been opened by the government to go towards improving village hall facilities in England.  

The Platinum Jubilee fund, launched in June in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is expected to support 125 village halls over the three years it will run.  

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said village halls are key to rural communities, providing essential services, recreational activities and building community.

Lord Benyon, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: ‘The Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund will create a national network of legacy projects to benefit rural communities. 

‘This will be a lasting tribute to the long, exceptional service of Her Late Majesty the Queen and will support village halls, many of which were built in commemoration of Her Majesty’s predecessors, Queen Victoria and King George V. Today, village halls remain a key community asset and efforts to modernise these spaces will ensure that they are used by generations to come.’  

The fund is being managed by charity Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and applicants are encouraged to produce projects which improve the local environment, reduce loneliness, support the rural economy and contribute positively to the community.  

Grants will range from between £7,500 to £75,000 and up to a maximum of 20% of eligible costs, with capital grants available to support refurbishments of facilities, such as kitchens and toilet, and to improve energy efficiency.  

A 2020 ACRE survey found 50% of over 2,000 village halls included in the report were 80 years old or more and over a third had roofs and/or gutters which were inadaequate or in need of urgent repair. 

60% of those who responded to the survey also said the village hall was the only meeting place for their community, highlighting how central these buildings are to rural life.  

James Blake, ACRE’s Chair said: ‘We are delighted to be administering this grant fund. Village halls are the beating heart of rural communities across England. They provide warm, welcoming spaces that bring people together, combat loneliness and support countless livelihoods which is especially important at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is bearing down on many.  

‘This investment, combined with the specialist support and advice of ACRE members will help modernise many of these important buildings so they can continue serving local communities.’  

Photo by Olivier Collet