Community Ownership Fund

Co-operative and Community Finance (CCF) welcome the launch of the Governments UK wide Community Ownership Fund (COF). CCF has long been a supporter of communities taking ownership and control of the assets people need to access for everyday things and services they value in their communities.

Over the past 48 years CCF have helped finance hundreds of local communities to take control of buildings and venues of all shapes and sizes, including libraries, church halls, music venues, football grounds and many more. Helping communities take ownership of community shops and pubs like the recent purchase of the Lock Inn, Norfolk, has been a particular cornerstone of our business. Through longstanding partnerships in the Community Business sector with the Plunkett Foundation, Power to Change, MHCLG, Co-ops UK ,and others, we consider ourselves experts in the market.

Business Development Manager Tim Coomer said of the fund launch. “This fund comes at a really important time. The impact of Covid has been devastating on so many people and places, but one positive to come out of all this is how communities across the UK have been galvanised into action. Communities across the UK now hold a real purpose, a will to seize new opportunities and rebuild in a better way. By taking democratic ownership of places they need and hold dear, and that are in danger of being lost forever, people really can take back control. This isn’t just about saving venues for prosperity or saving failing businesses, it’s about using these buildings as the foundations of building stronger local communities and maintaining access to important local services.” 

For communities considering applying to the Community Ownership Fund, CCF can provide flexible loan finance of between £10k to £150k, helping to raise the 50% match required by the Community Ownership Fund. We can also help broker deals with other lending partners for projects over £300k. We offer flexible terms with loans repayable from 2 to 20 years, offer competitive rates of interest, provide ongoing support and never ask for personal guarantees.  For more about our terms and conditions and eligibility criteria visit or fill in our Register of Interest form here.