Businesses and community groups in Bulwell and Bulwell Forest are being invited to bid for a share of £1.5m.

The money has been provided through the Local Regeneration Fund (LRF), formerly known as the Levelling Up Fund, and the aim is to establish a Community Grant Scheme to improve both areas.

It is part of the wider £19.8m award from Government which has been spent on a major redevelopment of Bulwell town centre (see above), including a refreshed market and complete overhaul of the Bogs area with new splash park and play equipment.

The proposal will seek approval from senior councillors at next week’s Executive Board meeting of Nottingham City Council (21 April).

The Community Grant Scheme will create a fair, transparent and accessible mechanism for community organisations, businesses and stakeholders to apply for funding that responds to locally-identified priorities.

Following national changes to the management of LRF, the city council now has increased flexibility to adapt remaining funding to local needs.

Consultation with community groups, ward members and MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley, Alex Norris, shows clear support for investing uncommitted funds into community‑led activity beyond the original public-realm project scope.

Three complementary grant programmes are proposed:

1. Community Venues and Spaces Grant: capital award of between £15,000 and £200,000 to improve community venues, open spaces and facilities. Delivered through the council’s Dynamic Grant Process
2. Community Events and Activities Grant: smaller capital grants of between £5,000 and £14,999 enabling organisations to deliver or enhance local events, engagement activities and small-scale improvements
3. Bulwell Business Grants Programme: a package of business support schemes offering awards between £500 and £5,000 for business growth, decarbonisation, and shopfront or vacant premises improvements

Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Property and Communications, said: “We’re proud of the work that’s currently under way in Bulwell to improve the market and much-loved Bogs area.

“It’s fantastic to see real, visible progress being made on our plans to transform Bulwell. This is an exciting moment for the town.

“We’ve been able to hold back some of the £19.8m that we successfully bid for and, following discussions with Alex Norris MP and the local community, we have decided to open this up for groups to bid for.

“There are varying grants available, depending on the community role or project, up to a total of £200,000.

“We’re hoping this will make a real difference to the people of Bulwell and would urge people to get in touch with the council to find out more.”

Community groups that wish to apply for funding through the Community Venues and Spaces Grant need to first apply to join the council’s Dynamic Grant Process and express an interest in funding for ‘Lot 2 for Nottingham’.