'We want our own building' is a common theme for community groups, but the reality of the costs involved, what income needs to be generated and what grants could be obtained makes checking out the viability of a project very difficult.

Locality have come up with a tool which helps you do this - trying different income levels from earnings, grants or finance, plus likely costs of purchase, building and repairs, to see how they affect the overall picture, and long term viability of a building.

You need to register with Locality to access the tool, but that is free. Check it out here:

www.communitybuildingschecker.org.uk/