WIREDGOV

Plans to turn a former hotel and grade B listed building into a thriving community hub for the people of Galston, East Ayrshire have recently (FRI 3 MARCH) received a welcome National Lottery cash boost.

Thanks to a Big Lottery Fund award of £328,579, Galston Community Development Trust is now one step closer to beginning work on developing the community owned former Portland Arms building at the heart of the town centre.

The refurbishment, which will support the ongoing regeneration of Galston, will create a community hub, run for and by Galston residents, that provides facilities for local business start ups, a sales outlet for local produce and space for a wide range of community activities and services.

The recent award is the first to be made through the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Assets stream of funding which supports community led projects to develop or build assets for their community use.

David Richmond, chairman of Galston Community Development Trust, said: “The Trust are thrilled for the people of Galston that they are the first group to receive funding from the Big Lottery Community Assets Fund.  In less than a month we hope to be able to sign the contract to start the regeneration of the Portland Arms, which has been derelict for 15 years, into a vibrant Community Hub which will provide opportunities, activities and jobs for Galston and the wider community.”

Announcing the grant, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “I am delighted to see the Galston Community Development Trust benefit from our first Community Assets grant. There is a strong appetite in communities across Scotland to purchase and develop local assets and we know the positive difference this can make. This regeneration project in Galston has the potential to create new jobs, support local businesses and provide social, recreational and educational opportunities for local people. It is a great use of National Lottery money which will deliver huge benefits for this enterprising community.”

Community Assets is part of the Big Lottery Fund’s wider £250 million pot to support people and communities to overcome challenging circumstances. Groups wishing to find out more about Big Lottery funding can visit the website: https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1451 / 07823 552 889
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGSCOTLAND #biglottery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland

Notes to Editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• The Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focussed on helping people and communities most in need throughout Scotland through its five-year £250m funding scheme as well as its small grants scheme Awards for All.
• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on Lottery spending, the Committee, led by Chair, Maureen McGinn plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects across the UK that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £35 billion has been raised and more than 490,000 grants awarded.