Media Release

18 September 2017

New fund hopes to create ‘rural business hubs’ across District

A new fund to help groups make improvements to community facilities to meet the needs of rural businesses has been agreed by Daventry District Council.

The Council has put £30,000 into the fund, which it hopes will help create ‘rural business hubs’ across Daventry District.

Community groups will be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to make adaptations to buildings that would benefit local rural businesses.

A village hall may wish to create a business meeting room with audio-visual equipment and Wi-Fi capability for instance, or make renovations and improvements that would encourage small local businesses to make bookings.

The fund has been created as part of DDC’s ongoing commitment to developing and supporting the rural economy. The Council is welcoming applications between now and the end of March 2018, with funding available from April 2018.

It also follows the suggestion of a task panel set up by the Council’s Scrutiny & Improvement Committee, which proposed the use of village facilities to help rural businesses.

Councillor Colin Poole, DDC’s Economic, Regeneration and Employment Portfolio Holder said: “Developing and supporting businesses in our rural areas is one of the priorities for this Council, so we’re delighted to announce this new funding.

“It could help village halls create meeting spaces for local businesses, or encourage their use by local fitness instructors, or nursery and childcare businesses for instance. This not only carries the potential to boost rural business and employment opportunities, but community groups and facilities stand to benefit from the improvements and the extra bookings they would bring.

“There are lots of possibilities, and I would encourage communities to work with us so improvements can be made for the benefit of everyone.”

To find out more information, including details of how to apply, visit www.daventrydc.gov.uk/communitygrants or email

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Press release number: 2315

For further information please contact:

Ian O’Pray, Media Officer at Daventry District Council, on 01327 302310 or email

Daventry District Council is a local authority providing essential public services for Daventry District, supporting the daily needs of residents, businesses and visitors. To find out more visit www.daventrydc.gov.uk

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