A Norfolk Scout group has been left facing a £50,000 shortfall and an unfinished building project after their contractor went into liquidation.
The 1st Belton Scouts, based near Great Yarmouth, had been awarded a £292,000 government grant through the Youth Investment Fund to extend and double the size of their headquarters — a long-awaited project aimed at creating better facilities for young people in the community.
But those dreams were left hanging when the appointed building company suddenly ceased trading, leaving half-finished works and thousands of pounds’ worth of materials unpaid.
😔 “I Could Have Absolutely Cried”
Scout leader Peter Clarke, who took over from his late father John as head of the 1st Belton Cubs and Scouts, said he was devastated when he realised the scale of the unfinished work.
“I could have absolutely cried,” Mr Clarke said.
“We were left with around £50,000 worth of work still to do, and a building that isn’t finished. It’s heartbreaking — the young people have been let down.”
The group said they are unable to name the building firm for contractual reasons, but confirmed the company had gone into liquidation, halting progress entirely.
🧱 Safety Measures and Setbacks
Despite the setback, Mr Clarke said the Scouts had acted quickly to make the site safe.
“We’re Scouts — our motto is ‘Be Prepared’. We’ve carried out risk assessments and made sure areas that aren’t safe are clearly marked. The young people know where they can and can’t go.”
He said the half-finished building means they cannot deliver the full programme of activities the Scouts deserve — and the conditions of the government grant require the work to be completed by the end of 2025.
💰 Crowdfunding to Finish the Job
The 1st Belton Scouts have now launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise the remaining funds to complete the project.
Mr Clarke said around £45,000 is needed for materials, including damp-proof membrane packs, disabled toilets, showers, boilers, and plasterboard — with a further £25,000 likely needed for labour to finish the build.
“There are some great people out there, and I’ve no doubt that with people-power and funds, we’ll get this over the line,” he added.
🏛️ Government Fund Responds
The Youth Investment Fund, run by Social Investment Business on behalf of the UK government, said it is working closely with the Scouts to help find a solution.
A spokesperson said:
“We are keenly aware of the situation with the contractor and have been in frequent contact with 1st Belton to offer our support and practical advice.
Our team will continue with that support in the coming days and weeks.”
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