Guidance

Installing chess tables in parks and public spaces: prospectus

Published 1 September 2023

Applies to England

1. Overview and introduction

We are inviting the local authorities (LAs) who received funding under the Levelling Up Parks Fund (LUPF), to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to receive an additional £2,500 of funding for the purchase and installation of a chess table and accompanying seats or benches in their local parks and/or green spaces.

The provision of new chess tables in parks and public spaces is part of a cross-government strategy to deliver on three key objectives:

• increase participation in chess among primary school-age children
• support elite level chess competition and
• increase the visibility and public presence of chess

2. Funding

Purpose: To install chess tables and seats/benches in parks and public spaces

Type of fund: Allocative

Eligibility: Local Authorities who received funding under the Levelling Up Parks Fund (LUPF)

Funding available: £2,500 to the installation of 1 chess table and seats. We are not expecting LAs to provide chess sets but they may choose to do so.

Key dates to note:

• 22 August 2022 – formal public launch of proposals to increase access to and provision of chess facilities
• 4 September 2023 – EOI submission window for chess tables in parks and public spaces opens
• 25 September 2023 – EOI submission for chess tables in parks and public spaces deadline
• 2 October 2023 to 5 February 2024 – distribution of funds to LAs, and LAs to begin work to install chess tables in parks and public spaces

Source of funding: For the LAs who opt in, we will update the existing Levelling Up Parks Fund Memorandum of Understanding to include the chess table funding, and use section 31(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 to provide this funding.

Location of the chess boards: While it is desirable that the chess table is located in the park that received LUPF funding, the exact location of the chess board is ultimately at the LA’s discretion. When deciding where to locate the chess board, we encourage you to consider the following objectives:

• to create new opportunities and locations which help to strengthen relationships and build local social cohesion
• to address loneliness by providing opportunities for people to come together in a joint activity

Therefore, high footfall areas that attract diverse demographics would be ideal locations for the chess tables.

If you consider there to be more than one location in your LA that could successfully accommodate a chess table, please do flag this to in the relevant section on the EOI form. There may be scope for you to receive additional funding for the installation of another board.

3. Further information and how to apply

To apply to receive additional, dedicated funding for the installation of a chess table and chairs, please complete the expression of interest (EOI) form accompanying this prospectus and send it to LUParksFund@levellingup.gov.uk by 25 September 2023.

If you have any questions or queries which aren’t answered in this document, then please do email LUParksFund@levellingup.gov.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

4. Funding expectations

Over a 4-month period, DLUHC expect LAs to procure and install at least 1 chess table and accompanying seats or benches in a park or green space. We do not expect LAs to provide the chess sets.

It would be desirable if LAs could use their existing marketing/promotional channels to promote chess and use of the chess tables. Any underspend could be spent on promotion.