More money invested into the Cotswolds

Cotswold District Council has allocated a total of £296,450 to seven local projects from the UKSPF. The fund is part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and will be spent across three years with allocated funding for each year. 

A number of projects for the third and final year have now been approved by the Council’s Cabinet after recommendations from an Assessment Panel. 

One exciting project receiving funding is the transformation of the former House of Fraser building in Cirencester which will be repurposed into a social enterprise department store, estimated to create around 50 new jobs. 

Cotswold Tourism have also been given funding for their Local Connections project. This is an initiative for the North Cotswolds and will provide support for businesses by matching up local suppliers with accommodation providers. 

In line with the Council’s commitment to provide green and affordable housing, Bromford Housing will be receiving funding to help deliver their Net Zero Exemplar Scheme. This scheme will be delivering net zero social rented housing in Down Ampney, including solar panels on the houses. 

Cllr Tony Dale, Cabinet Member for the Economy and Council Transformation, said: “We’re already seeing what a difference the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is having in the community here in the Cotswold district after the first year of funding and I’m please we’ve agreed the projects for the final year of funding. 

“For 2024/25 we will be working closely with the County Council, Cotswold Tourism, Bromford Housing and many other organisations who we will be supporting with this fund. They all have great projects lined up and I’m looking forward to seeing them come to life.  

“I’m also looking forward to seeing the projects from the second year of funding once they have been completed. There are a lot of exciting projects to look forward to!” 

You can find out more about the funding and the projects it will support at www.cotswold.gov.uk/SPF