Community events in Gloucestershire given £500,000 boost

The money is coming from the government's Build Back Better fund

Author: Phoebe GreggorPublished 3rd Feb 2022

The Build Back Better – Market Towns fund previously gave more than £385,000 to support events across the county in 2021, with a further £114,614 awarded in the second phase.

The money aims to boost the economy of Gloucestershire’s market towns and high streets after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a total of £500,000 of funding awarded to support over 67 events.

Projects from across the county have been funded in the most recent round of funding. These include Queen’s Platinum Jubilee events in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Longhope, Upton St Leonards, Northleach, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Wotton-under-Edge.

In addition, funding has also been awarded towards the organisation of the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, a community street fayre in Barton and Tredworth, as well as many other community events.

A total of 33 bids were received during the second round and 22 events were supported, this is in addition to the 45 bids supported in the first round of funding. Final decisions on the funding awards were made by a panel, who considered areas including how many people will benefit from the event, its impact on the economy, the ability to deliver it successfully, and those that leave a lasting legacy.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Cabinet member for Finance and Change at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to fund so many brilliant events and projects across the county throughout the Build Back Better – Market Towns fund.

“These events promise to bring colour and community entertainment back across Gloucestershire, and I can’t wait to see them go ahead.

“Events like these are crucial to our county, and will help to revitalise local economies following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Click here to view the Build Back Better – Market Towns Scheme calendar of events.

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