Thanks to the Government’s £150 million community ownership fund, residents in Roxwell working to save the Chequers Pub will receive over £276,000 to help do so – a bid I was very happy to write in support of.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Kemi Badenoch

The fund was created to help communities rescue local pubs, music venues, sports facilities and historic buildings that are at risk of being lost forever.

We have already seen communities come together to save much loved local assets, like the Railway Arms in Saffron Walden.

More recently the Bluebell Inn pub in Hempstead, another resident led campaign I am supporting to secure the funding they need to return it to a thriving, warm and traditional country pub.

Over the last year we have seen significant Government investment across the constituency. From the Shared Rural Prosperity Fund benefitting local organisations like the Buffy Bus that supports families across the district, to the Government’s Community Cost of Living Fund providing thousands of pounds to Touchpoint in Stansted.

The Government has also invested more than £150,000 in 28 listed places of worship across our constituency –from St Mary’s Church in Saffron Walden to St Andrew’s down in Chelmsford.

The refurbishment scheme has been essential to maintaining and restoring buildings where our communities come together.

I’m keen to keep the momentum going, continuing to push for investment across North Chelmsford and Uttlesford.

So, if there's a local pub, church or initiative your community is passionate about, please get in touch to find out what schemes might be available and how I can support you.