Delight as £5k UKSPF grant supports village hall upgrade

Activities at a community hub in a Nottinghamshire village have been boosted thanks to EMCCA funding.

The Lucy & Vincent Brown Village Hall, in Attenborough, has been able to install new functional flooring allowing for a wider range of community events, thanks to a £5,000 grant issued by Broxtowe Borough Council and funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The new flooring – replacing the previous outdated surface – allows the hall to host more dance classes, community events, and increases capacity for Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.

Being one of the only community spaces in the village, the hall is vital in improving the mental and physical wellbeing of locals of all ages.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “Village halls like Attenborough’s are often the beating heart of their communities, providing a welcoming space where people can come together, stay active and support one another. For many villages, the hall is one of the few shared public spaces, making it central to community life and local wellbeing.

“Investment through the UKSPF has allowed us to protect and enhance these valued assets, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and accessible to everyone. Improvements to facilities like Attenborough Village Hall help local groups thrive, support community-led activity and create spaces that people are proud to use.

“By backing projects like this, we are not only improving buildings but investing in the long-term sustainability of our villages. This is about strengthening pride in place, supporting healthier communities, and making sure our towns and villages continue to be great places to live, work and visit.”

Village hall is ‘more welcoming and inclusive’

The improved offering also means improved sustainability for the hall, with increased bookings and usage comes increased longevity, and the expectation that it will become a community social, health and wellbeing hub for many years to come.

A spokesperson for the hall trustees said: “We are extremely grateful for the £5,000 grant received, which contributed to the full replacement of flooring in one of our main halls.

“The new flooring has significantly improved the brightness, safety, and functionality of the space, creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment. It has enhanced accessibility for a wide range of users including Pre-School children, uniformed youth groups, older adults, and community members with differing mobility, it has helped support our equality, diversity and inclusion commitments.

“We also appreciated the clear guidance and support provided throughout the application process. While thorough, the process was ultimately very rewarding and enabled us to deliver meaningful improvements that directly benefit our diverse community of hall users.”

Councillor Milan Radulovic MBE, council portfolio holder for asset management and economic development, said: “Village halls are often at the heart of rural communities, and Attenborough is no different, so it’s vital that we do what we can to look after them.

“This grant funding has provided a more suitable space for Attenborough Village Hall, allowing them to continue to provide a fantastic service to the local community and operate at a sustainable level.”

The UKSPF is providing £25.17 million of funding for local investment across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 2025/26. This funding, distributed by EMCCA, aims to boost pride in place and increase life chances in the region. The investment will focus on supporting communities and businesses, as well as developing skills for individuals.

Broxtowe Borough Council has been allocated a total of £1,056,720 in 2025/26. Activity funded includes local business and skills support and a set of community projects.