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Work starts on extension to Northborough Village Hall
Work starts on extension to Northborough Village Hall

Construction work has started to extend Northborough Village Hall which will enable the facility to meet increasing capacity demand from the local community. The occasion was marked with a ground-breaking ceremony today, 16 March, attended by the Deputy Mayor of Peterborough, Cllr Keith Sharp, and Cllr Peter Hiller, ward councillor for Northborough and Glinton.

The extension project has been made possible thanks to grant funding of almost £30,000 received from the Rural Peterborough and Rutland LEADER programme. The programme has now awarded grants to three businesses totaling £122,000 but another £878,000 is still available to access for businesses or community groups based in the rural Peterborough or Rutland area.

Deputy Mayor of Peterborough, Cllr Keith Sharp, said: “The LEADER programme is a fantastic initiative providing much-needed support to our rural communities. Northborough Village Hall is a great facility used by the village for community events and get-togethers of all ages. The extension will mean more space and enhancements to modern day standards.

“I’d encourage other rural groups or businesses who have ideas for improvements in their communities to look into bidding for LEADER funding. There’s still over £800,000 in the fund.”

Jessica Phillips of Northborough Community Association said: “We’re delighted to get started on this extension project. The village hall is a well-used community resource, but we have struggled for space. The extension will allow us to expand and support village activities on a much larger scale, moving our facilities to the 21st century. We look forward to showing the larger facility to the community when it completes in early summer.”

Delivered by Opportunity Peterborough, the city’s economic development company, the Rural Peterborough and Rutland LEADER programme has £1 million of funding available for local projects that develop the economies of the rural Peterborough and Rutland areas.

Rural businesses and community groups are encouraged to apply for LEADER funding to help progress an idea or project to grow their business further. The funding is available for projects to increase farm productivity, support micro and small businesses and farm diversification, boost rural tourism, provide rural services, provide cultural and heritage activity and increase forestry production. 

Dennis Stanley, Chair of the Rural Peterborough and Rutland LEADER Local Action Group, said: “The LEADER programme is helping to drive further growth in our rural businesses and communities and supporting emerging companies to develop their ideas. The first grants awarded are supporting three very worthwhile projects, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

“More funding is available so I’d strongly encourage any rural business or community group within our LEADER area who has a great idea or growth project to talk to Opportunity Peterborough now.”

For full details on LEADER funding visit www.leaderfunding.co.uk or call 01733 317404