A MUCH-loved library and community hub in Berkeley is celebrating after receiving a cash boost. 

Berkeley Trinity Community Hub and Library has been awarded £130,000 from the government through its Community Ownership Fund grant application.

It is understood trustees will now be able to finish the project to develop the library and community hub in the town.

The successful bid - which was announced on Friday, December 22 - has been welcomed by Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie. 

John Stanton, the chair of trustees for Trinity Hub and Library said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Berkeley Books project has won our community ownership bid from the government. 

“This has been a lot of work by the trustees with the Town council, councillors and our local MP supporting us. 

“The district council has said it will look at CIL funding now too. It is a great endorsement of the idea for a community hub for all to enjoy.”

Ms Baillie said: “This is a good Christmas present for people in Berkeley. 

“The Berkeley books project team put together a good bid for money from the community fund for the library and community hub.”

The fund allows community groups to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost, enabling them to run them on behalf of their community.

The money has come from the expanded £150 million Community Ownership Fund from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Ms Baillie previously wrote in support of the project and Levelling Up minister Jacob Young was also invited by her to visit the town recently to learn about plans for Berkeley.

She added: “Some Stroud district bids were sadly not successful but I understand some of the feedback has been useful. 

“Many projects do not always win the grant at the first try but then go on to win after tweaking their bids. 

"I remain hopeful that projects like Fromehall Mill will win support in future rounds of the fund."