Member Article

Merseyside buildings receive over £1.16 million government boost

Three Merseyside buildings have been awarded funding to improve their sites as part of a total of 6 community projects across the country.

The total amount of funding across the three projects stands at more than £1.16 million.

The government funding will pay for repairs, refurbishment and create local jobs.

The buildings are receiving the money from a total of £3.4 million Department for Communities and Local Government community assets fund, managed by the Social Investment Business Group.

Squash Nutrition in Liverpool will receive £382,573 to purchase and develop derelict land in Toxteth, to build and develop a community food centre called Toxteth Food Central.

The group intend to build a space from which they can deliver community services and develop an integrated community food garden.

Services will include skills training, volunteer experiences, fairly priced food in an urban food shop, free nutritional health training, a local community cafe and opportunities for sharing health support.

The Reader Organisation, will receive £382,573 to refurbish the Calderstones Barn and Stable Block at Calderstones Park in Liverpool, transferred in January 2013 from Liverpool City Council.

The barn and stable buildings will be converted into a ‘Story Barn’, a children and families focused community provision aimed at providing high quality reading events and activities for the local and wider region.

Willowbrook Hospice, St Helens will receive £400,000 to purchase and renovate Alexander House, the former Pilkingtons Glass head office.

The building has lain empty for 6 years and is now derelict.

The grant will allow for the creation of a community Wellbeing Centre where patients approaching the end of their lives and their families can meet for positive support, giving them the confidence to be cared for at home and keeping them out of hospital.

Communities minister Stephen Williams said:“ Local people and communities know best how they want to run things, from setting up neighbourhood plans deciding on new development to taking over local services.

“The monies announced today will help these 6 inspirational schemes get off the ground and not only will they provide leisure, cultural and care facilities for the future, they will also create local jobs, helping to build both a stronger economy and a fairer society.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .