Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has welcomed today’s award of £750,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Assets fund to Urras Coimhearsnachd Bhradhagair agus Arnoil (Bragar and Arnol Community Trust).

This group plan to refurbish the former primary school in Bragar that closed in 2012 and was taken into community ownership in 2014. The refurbished centre will include a café, kitchen, community space, exhibition space and a 10 bed hostel. It will help to improve the sustainability of the local economy, tackle social isolation and loneliness particularly among older people, create employment opportunities, and encourage young people to stay in the area and reverse the trend of falling population.

The Isles MSP has previously written in support of the project and met with the Trust.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“I am very supportive of the bid by the community in Bragar and Arnol to transform the old school and I am delighted to hear about today’s announcement from the Big Lottery Fund.

“I know the benefit such an ambitious project will bring to the local community, and I know that there is a strong desire amongst the residents to ensure that the building, where many generations of the community were educated, should continue to be used as a community asset.

“This is really positive step forward for the project and I congratulate the group on getting this successful award.”