A NUMBER of exciting projects have been given their share of nearly £300,000 worth of funding. 

Cotswold District Council has allocated a total of £296,450 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to seven projects in our area. 

The fund is part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda and will be spent across three years with allocated funding for each year. 

Several projects for the third and final year have recently been approved by CDC's cabinet.

One project which will be receiving some this funding is The Cirencester Grace Network hub which will be opening this year in the former House of Fraser space.

The Market Place unit will be repurposed into a social enterprise department store and once open will create around 50 new jobs. 

Cotswold Tourism has also been given funding for their Local Connections Project. 

This is a North Cotswolds initiative which provides support for businesses by matching up local suppliers with accommodation providers. 

In addition, Bromford Housing will be receiving funding to help deliver CDC's Net Zero Exemplar Scheme.

This scheme will be delivering net zero social rented housing in Down Ampney, which will include solar panels on the houses. 

Cllr Tony Dale, CDC's cabinet member for the economy and council transformation, said: “We’re already seeing what a difference the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is having in the community here in the Cotswold district after the first year of funding and I’m please we’ve agreed the projects for the final year of funding. 

“For 2024/25 we will be working closely with Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold Tourism, Bromford Housing and many other organisations who we will be supporting with this fund. 

"They all have great projects lined up and I’m looking forward to seeing them come to life.  

“I’m also looking forward to seeing the projects from the second year of funding once they have been completed.

"There are a lot of exciting projects to look forward to.” 

To find out more about these projects visit www.cotswold.gov.uk/SPF