Village hall loan fund

ACRE manages the village hall loan fund on behalf of Defra. The loan fund aims to provide assistance with:

• Building a new hall
• Acquiring a building and converting it into a village hall
• Capital improvements to existing halls (e.g. works to enable the provision of new uses or services, access and enhanced internal facilities for the disabled, or an extension to accommodate a clinic)
• Essential repair work and measures to increase energy efficiency.

Village hall advisers are required to assess projects before they are submitted to ACRE for approval. The following points have to be taken into account:

• The current interest rate of 8% is set by HM Treasury.
• A loan can be taken out for 5 or 8 years.
• The project should have 10% local funding available or £1 per head of the population whichever is the least.
• No security is required and there are no penalties for early repayment. Additional payments during the loan period are welcome.
• The property should be freehold or leasehold with at least 21 years to run.
• The loan can cover works as listed on the inside cover of the application form.

Application form and guidance notes

Village hall loan fund case studies