Wiltshire Council launches new grant to help create hubs in rural communities

Wiltshire Council has announced the launch of its Rural Hubs grant scheme, aimed at supporting businesses, social enterprises, charities, and organisations offering essential services in smaller rural areas.

This project is designed to improve essential services in rural areas, such as shops, cafés, healthcare, support services, and schools. It also helps create places that support social, recreational, and cultural activities for rural communities.

The Rural Hubs grant will help organisations in smaller rural areas set up new services and facilities or improve existing ones. It aims to provide new or improved access to services, increase a sense of community, and strengthen community cohesion.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We’re proud to launch the Rural Hubs grant scheme, which is all about empowering our smaller communities to thrive.

“Whether it’s a village shop, a community café, or a local group offering vital services, this funding can help create or enhance spaces that bring people together and support everyday life.

“We know that rural areas face unique challenges, and this grant is a practical way to help overcome them – by investing in infrastructure, technology, and facilities that make a real difference.

“I encourage all eligible organisations to get in touch, share their ideas, and take advantage of the support available to turn their vision into reality.”

The grant can be used for things like improving access through renewal, refurbishment, or establishing new premises, buying equipment and tools, investing in digital technology to enhance services, and developing infrastructure for access, such as increasing capacity and opening times. However, grants are for capital costs only and so cannot be used for salaries, volunteer costs, restocking, operational and day-to-day expenditure, or replacing existing equipment.

Grant amounts start from £2,500, with no upper limit. For economic activities driven by income, such as farm shops and pubs, applicants must provide at least 40% of the total investment costs. For example, a total investment of £20,000 could be supported by a grant of up to £12,000, with the applicant providing 'match funds' of £8,000.

For non-economic activities, such as cultural activities, applicants must provide at least 25% of the total investment costs. For example, a total investment of £20,000 could be supported by a grant of up to £15,000, with the applicant providing 'match funds' of £5,000.

To be eligible for the Rural Hubs grant, the organisation must be incorporated, such as a registered company, registered charity, mutual benefit society, charitable trust, industrial and provident society, or farm partnership. It must be based in the Wiltshire Council area and located in rural places not already included in the Wiltshire Market Towns programme. All projects must be completed by 31st March 2026.

To apply and find out more, people should go to Business Fit for Future: supporting businesses in Wiltshire - Wiltshire Council