Angus Cycle Hub is celebrating a £15,200 award from grant and social enterprise support agency Firstport after a Dragons’ Den-style interview success.
Director Scott Francis said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and still can’t quite believe we have won this grant which will allow us to commit to developing the Cycle Hub full-time over the next year.”
Scott and Hub volunteers spent the last six months preparing a business case and working with partners across Angus including Angus Council, Voluntary Action Angus and NHS Tayside to get the venture off the ground.
“I had to go to Edinburgh and pitch our idea in front of a panel of trustees which was nerve-racking and I believe we are one of only eight companies in Scotland receiving Firstport’s ‘Build It’ funding this year,” Scott added.
The Hub aims to support the development of a sustainable infrastructure to help nurture cycling activity in the Angus area and increase cycling participation across the district.
After a number of years volunteering his time coaching cycling proficiency and mountain biking in schools and to local young people, Scott became increasingly frustrated by the lack of cycling infrastructure, facilities and pathways for people to enjoy the sport locally.
Last year’s inaugural Angus Cycling Festival organised by the body was a major success, with plans well advanced for September’s event in Reid Park, Forfar.
A public information night on the Hub’s development plans for Angus will be held on June 2 at 7pm at the Voluntary Action Angus offices, Arbroath.
More information at www.anguscyclehub.co.uk.