LEADER funding boost for Angus community hub

Angus LEADER's first funding award will help transform an old school building into a community hub.

Friockheim Community Hub Ltd will use the funding of £137,930 for their FriockHub project which will convert the old Eastgate School building to a community space providing support, facilities, spaces and services to the community of Friockheim and the surrounding rural areas.

The funding from Angus LEADER adds to over a million pounds of funding awarded by the Big Lottery Fund for the project.

New facilities at FriockHub will include an information technology suite, fitness suite, indoor sports facilities, outdoor play/activity areas, community café, small business units, facilities for the delivery of services such as health screening, hairdressing and chiropody, bank/post office, Citizens Advice and more.

Special provision will be made to cater for youth facilities, elderly residents, the disabled and disadvantaged, established resident groups, pre-school and mother and toddler activities, and educational and college activities.

A key development will be the focus on community business, with the provision of six business start-up spaces.

Angus LEADER is a European funding programme for rural development projects with a fund of over £2 million available for rural Angus. Constituted community groups, small to micro businesses and individuals can apply for a project grant. 

It's hoped the six-figure sum is the first of many Angus LEADER awards for the development of projects run by rural communities and businesses.

For more information about the programme and how to apply for LEADER funding contact the team on 01307 474696 or email ruralleader@angus.gov.uk. 

If you have an idea for a LEADER project, you can complete the Expression of Interest form on our website.

Scottish LEADER programme from ScottishRuralNetwork on Vimeo.