Town's remaining regeneration projects on course despite Red Brick Building setbacks

GLASTONBURY'S remaining regeneration projects are expected to be completed on time and on budget despite the significant setbacks with the Red Brick Building.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local democracy journalist [e-mail]

Glastonbury was one of 101 towns across the UK - and one of only two in Somerset - which has received funding from the government's towns fund, with £23.6m being provided for projects designed to enhance the town centre and improve the town’s fortunes.

The funding was originally allocated to 11 projects, but this was scaled back to 10 in light of high inflation within the construction industry with the planned enterprise and innovation hub on Beckery Old Road being the casualty.

Somerset Council announced in late-May that it would be providing no further funding to the revamp of the Red Brick Building on the A39 Street Road, after an audit by the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) revealed severe mismanagement of the project.

Following the resignation of its chair, Dr Lynne Sedgmore, the Glastonbury town deal board has now provided reassurance that the other nine projects will all be completed on budget - with some of them already being finished. Here's where things stand with the remaining nine projects:

St Dunstan's House Health and Well-Being Centre

What was planned: The health and well-being hub will be created between St Dunstan's House (which housed the town’s tourist information centre) and Glastonbury Town Hall. It will serve as a hub for community activities, providing fitness and rehabilitation spaces, mental health support services, and social events to foster social cohesion and combat isolation.

How it’s going: after planning permission was granted in October 2023, the delivery of the building was stymied by the need to carry out additional repairs to the roof. After securing £500,000 from the government's community ownership fund and the town council securing a loan to cover any remaining costs, the facility is expected to be up and running in September.

Glastonbury Abbey Piazza