Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron is encouraging local community groups to consider applying to the UK Government’s £150m Community Ownership Fund if they wish to secure the future of their local post office, village shop or other community asset that may be at risk of closure.
Mr Cameron commented: “All too often communities across the Highlands and Islands have lost their local shops in recent years, which has been a real blow to their sense of community as well as being very inconvenient, especially for elderly residents or those without access to a car."
“There will be several bidding rounds over the coming years and I would encourage local community groups who may be concerned about the future of their local shop or post office, to take a close look at the criteria for applying, as they may find it provides enough funding to make community ownership viable."
More information is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-ownership-fund-prospectus
More on this story here:
Community Ownership Fund opens for bids from communities in Scotland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)