A VITAL community shop, which also doubles as local post office and filling station for the remote community of Uig has today (Wednesday) had its future assured through a grant of over £250,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors.
The Uig Development Trust (UDT) are now set to bring the local shop into community ownership and also take the opportunity to expand the premises and make them more environmentally sound. The grant will fund the acquisition of land, the building of a
n extension to the shop and renewable energy facilities – two wind turbines, a heat recovery system and movement activated lighting.
David Newton UDT Chairman welcomed the award of £281,896 from the Big Lottery Fund's Growing Community Assets scheme. He said: "Everyone here in Uig is delighted about the news that we have been awarded this grant. The shop is a vital resource and our plans for its future will be of benefit of everyone in this fragile and remote community. On behalf of the Trust board I would like to thank everyone whose hard work have made this funding possible."
Shop manager Elaine Newton added: "We are very excited about the prospect of expanding the shop and the services we offer. We think that when the work is completed, locals, visitors, staff and the environment will all benefit from the changes, and we'll be able to offer an improved service for people in our remote rural area."
Local Councillor, Norman MacDonald, has supported the UDT through the application and assessment process and is thrilled that the community's hard work has paid off. He said: "This is really great news for everyone living in Uig. I wish the community every success now and in the future."
UDT is one of four groups benefiting from over £600,000 announced in grants from BIG today.
Alison Magee, Chair, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee said: "These grants illustrate how the Big Lottery Fund is investing in local communities. From Govan to Uig, inner city to remote island - across Scotland we are supporting local people seeking to make assets work for them to sustain and revitalise the area where they live.
"Through this funding we want to transform lives – not only through ownership but by energising local people and encouraging social enterprise. Today's awards will help to ensure that these communities can face the future with confidence."
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