6 January 2025The government has announced that it has taken the difficult decision to close the Community Ownership Fund (COF) and that there will be no further application windows on this programme.
Whereas the government has closed this fund, it ‘remains committed to the communities’ sector and community empowerment’ and ‘will deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community “Right to Bid” with a strengthened “Right to Buy” Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership.’ It will also ‘seek to support high streets by strengthening Business Improvement Districts which have helped to improve town and city centres across the United Kingdom for 20 years, while ensuring they operate to high standards and are accountable to their communities.’
