Could empty and neglected buildings across Maldon, Burnham and the villages of the Dengie Peninsula have a new future as community-owned spaces – run for the benefit of local people?

Here Nub News takes a closer look at a new fund that could make some of those dreams a reality as the community emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new fund announced by the Government in last week's budget could see empty or neglected buildings taken over by community groups and put to good use for the benefit of local people.

In his budget last week, the Chancellor formally announced that a Community Ownership Fund will be created, with an initial £150 million budget.

Venues such as old sports halls, empty theatres, abandoned pubs, disused public buildings and former post offices can be taken on by community groups – who will be given up to £250,000 to support spaces in their area through matched funding.

The fund is set to open this summer and last for four years.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "This fund will help to ensure vital local institutions aren't lost to those who treasure them most."

The government has said the Community Ownership Fund will enable the physical regeneration of unused buildings and retraining services within communities.

You need a business model to sustain a building, to check the feasibility of it and then to keep investing in an underlying business.

Nub News spoke to some local bodies and organisations about the fund and how it could potentially be used across Maldon district.

The first steps to making the idea a reality

Sarah Troop, Director of Maldon District CVS (Community Volunteering Service) explained how the pandemic has brought the true value of local community endeavours to the fore.

She said: "Community owned businesses like village shops have been a real asset during the pandemic. In a rural district such as Maldon these local initiatives have often been at the heart of the community responses.

"Purleigh village shop for example was recognised in our Recognition of Service awards for coming together as a team to support local residents. We also saw a range of local businesses rising to the challenge and becoming key community hubs and assets - alongside the community owned businesses there were village shops, post offices and pubs all nominated for recognition. This only reinforces the importance of local connections and this new fund gives communities the chance to protect them should they become at risk."

"We very much hope that the businesses that have stepped up for their community continue to thrive as we move into recovery and the community can support them in return, but should difficult decisions need to be made this fund will enable communities to retain their hubs and heart."

Maldon and District CVS can help anyone who is thinking about this fund for a building in their locality and they are welcome to contact Sarah to discuss as a first step – email: [email protected]

The Plunkett Foundation is also a good place to start and you can find the organisation's website by using the link here.

An Essex County Council (ECC) spokesperson said: "The Community Ownership Fund is a Government initiative ECC is seeking to promote and support.

"We are currently reviewing the entirety of the UK Community Renewal Fund prospectus, a Government fund which aims to work with local partners to increase funding for projects supporting people and places, growing local economies, and breathing new life into our communities. These projects, funded by EU structural funding which ends in 2023, will now be funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund.

"The fund covers a range of subjects around skills, employment and working in targeted areas, and we will engage fully with the fund as part of ECC's strategic priority to build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic creating secure stronger, safer and more neighbourly communities."