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Research - Village Halls

The Rural Community Action Network provides access to the 10,000 village halls and other similar rural community buildings in England placing ACRE in a unique position to comment on their state, management and financing.

The Economic Impact of Community Buildings in Rural Communities

The first in a series of Reports analysing data from the survey of rural community buildings. It examines the economic impact of community buildings within rural communities and demonstrates the significance of investment in rural community buildings in terms of employment and finance and considers less tangible impacts on rural communities.

Rural Community Buildings and Environmental Sustainability

This is the second Report in the series. Community Buildings have an important part to play in improving environmental sustainability in rural areas with potential to demonstrate energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable buildings in action.

Rural Community Buildings, Arts, Sports and Licensing Requirements

The third Report shows that in today's society rural community buildings have a multi-purpose role, serving as a social centre, arts centre, sports centre and, in some cases, providing education, health or retail services. Licensing changes, in particular, can impact significantly on the running of community buildings and local community activity.

The State and Management of Rural Community Buildings

This report demonstrates the responsibility that volunteer trustees undertake in managing building and makes suggestions that could ease the financial and legislative burden.

The Changing Use of Rural Community Buildings

Research into the use of halls provides an insight into the health of rural community life and the way communitieis are responding to the changing nature of service delivery.

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Rural Community Buildings in England, Key Findings 2009

Use of England's rural community owned buildings has trebled since 1988, according to the research undertaken in ACRE's 2009 national survey of rural community buildings. The key findings celebrate the success of volunteers and the buildings they manage in supporting local action and service delivery. Although there are significant stories to tell the future for most is quite fragile.

Other significant pieces of research undertaken by ACRE and the Rural Community Action Network:

The impact of investment in village halls, 2007

The Role of the Community Building, 2003

National Village Halls Survey, 1988

National Village Halls Survey, 1998

The funding of rural community buildings and the associated benefits, Defra 2007