£61 Million Community Right to Buy Fund

Across the country, more communities are stepping in to take ownership of places that matter to them, from pubs to sports clubs and youth centres. Many of these projects are flourishing, but too often it has been against the odds. Over the past decade, thousands of valued local assets have closed, leaving big gaps in community life. 

That is why the Government’s recently announced £61 million Community Right to Buy Fund is so important. It is there to help communities step in and save local places at risk of being closed, sold off, converted or demolished. 

These places matter; they are where people connect, organise, celebrate and support each other, and they help bring communities together through good times and tough ones.

Here in Truro and Falmouth, I see how important this is and I often hear from constituents who want to protect or revive much loved local assets, like The Stag in Ponsanooth. And we’ve already got some brilliant examples of what can be achieved, like The Ship Inn at Portloe, where community ownership has kept the pub running and drinks and food affordable. 

New Community Right to Buy powers in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will give these groups more time to get organised, stronger rights, and a better chance of success. The £61 million will be targeted at areas that have historically missed out on investment, making ownership a more realistic option for communities that might otherwise struggle. It is part of a wider shift of power from Westminster and back into local hands.