A historic pub once frequented by the legendary poet Dylan Thomas is set to receive a substantial investment of £300,000 from the government as part of a broader initiative to preserve cherished community institutions across the UK. The funding, provided through the Community Ownership Fund, aims to ensure that these vital establishments continue to serve their communities for generations to come.*

The Vale of Aeron pub, located in Ceredigion, Wales, holds a special place in literary history as a favorite haunt of the renowned Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, during his residence nearby in the 1940s. Now, this historic establishment is preparing for renovations aimed at securing its future and making it more accessible to the entire community.

The Community Ownership Fund, a program designed to empower local communities to take control of vital assets like pubs, museums, and sports clubs, has allocated £770,057 to support three projects in Wales. These projects have been selected to ensure that they remain valuable resources for the people they serve.

Aside from the Vale of Aeron pub, £187,557 will be directed towards the Judge’s Lodging Museum in Powys. The funding will be used to preserve the historical old court building and ensure its continued financial stability, allowing it to operate as a fully functional museum.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies expressed his enthusiasm for these projects, emphasising the significant positive impact they will have on their respective local communities. He also highlighted the UK government’s commitment to supporting community initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of life in Wales and across the UK.

“We are proud to be supporting people to take control of their local assets. Levelling up is at the centre of the UK Government’s ambitions, and communities across Wales will be transformed over the coming years as this funding continues,” said Davies.

The Community Ownership Fund has a track record of supporting projects that are essential to the fabric of local communities. It has already allocated £4 million for 18 projects in Wales, contributing to a total of 195 projects supported across the UK.

Jacob Young, the UK Government minister for Levelling Up, emphasised the importance of protecting these community institutions, describing them as the “pride and joy” of many residents. He noted that these places, ranging from historic pubs to railway lines, play a vital role in strengthening communities.

The latest round of funding saw significant changes, allowing all projects, not just sports clubs, to apply for up to £1 million in funding, while the required matching funds decreased to 20%. This round also marked the first time that applicants like the Vale of Aeron pub could benefit from support in developing their applications and business cases through the Community Ownership Fund development support provider, led by Locality.

The Community Ownership Fund is currently open for new applications and will accept submissions until October 11, 2023. Local groups are encouraged to apply for funding of up to £2 million, continuing the effort to preserve and empower vital community assets across the UK.