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Southam United’s unfinished clubhouse will get up to £250,000 from Stratford-on-Avon District Council, after the council’s Cabinet approved the grant on Monday 2 November. The money is to finish the community clubhouse at Bobby Hancocks Park, and it comes with conditions.
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What the grant pays for
The clubhouse has been built, but key parts of its first floor were never finished, including the heating, kitchen and toilets. That limits its use as a community venue and restricts how much money the club can earn from it. The work is estimated at around £350,000, which the council says leaves a funding gap of about £250,000.
The money comes from the council’s Business Rates Equalisation Reserve, and our report before the meeting has the full background on the building and the club.
The conditions on the Southam United grant
The council lists these conditions:
- a detailed business plan
- continued work with Birmingham County FA
- looking for grants from other funders
- arrangements to safeguard the public money
The council’s share will fall if significant grants come in from elsewhere. The club is also expected to carry out recommendations from a Club Development Review, aimed at strengthening how it’s run and helping it grow.
Why the council says it’s worth it
Southam United was founded in 1905. It has around 150 players in 19 teams, from under-5s to seniors, and sees room to grow in girls’ football and football for players with disabilities. Councillor Lorraine Grocott, the portfolio holder for environmental and neighbourhood services, said the funding would help “protect an important community asset”.
What happens next
The council hasn’t given a date for the work to start or finish. The club now has to meet the conditions and keep looking for other grants. The Cabinet agenda and report are public. We’ll report on the rest of Monday’s meeting once the council publishes its decisions or the recording.
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Alex Harrington
Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.
