Two historic buildings in Durham and Gateshead have been awarded a total of more than £550,000 from levelling up funds to enable them to be refurbished and continue and expand their public roles.
Redhills, the Durham Miners headquarters for more than 100 years, and St Mary’s Church overlooking Gateshead Quays, will share in £71.4mn going to 257 organisations across the UK from the latest allocation by the Common Ownership Fund.
The “Redhill’s Revealed” Project will receive £281,116 towards the refurbishment and extension of its Grade 2 listed building in Durham city.
Tyne and Wear Building Trust will get £273,733 to enable it to run the 14th century Grade 1 listed building, which it took over as a visitor and events heritage centre from Gateshead Council in September. The building occupies a prominent position close to the Tyne Bridge.
The Common Ownership Fund aims, according to the DLUHC, to ensure that local people across the UK can support and continue benefiting from treasured local institutions whose future may be in doubt.
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, said:
“Investing in communities improves lives – whether that’s rebuilding a community centre, rescuing historic pubs and theatres or upgrading sports facilities used by families every day.
“These are unique and cherished places, valued by local people of all ages, and we know how much they mean to communities. The Community Ownership Fund is about restoring pride in the places people call home and I’m delighted to be funding these projects.”
The fund aims to ensure that local people across the UK can support and continue benefiting from treasured local institutions whose future may be in doubt.
