With two Glastonbury Town Deal projects already completed and open, the Glastonbury Town Deal board has provided an update on progress and timescales for the remaining Town Deal projects. This follows a robust health check that was recently undertaken for each of the projects to clarify their progress and timelines, as well as identifying any areas where project delivery support may be required.
The refurbishment of the Tor Sports and Leisure facility was unveiled in February this year, with over 600 people attending the open day. Now a modern community sports and leisure hub, the improved facility is already being well-used by people of all ages and has attracted several clubs, local groups and events back into the town.
A second Town Deal project, the Glastonbury Abbey Yard, officially opened earlier this month. The abbey’s new entrance has created a visitor experience in keeping with the abbey’s international importance as an archaeological, spiritual and cultural site, as well as providing an attractive open-air meeting space in the centre of town where people can relax and socialise.
The St Dunstan’s House Community Health & Wellbeing Centre, adjoining Glastonbury Town Hall, is expected to be the next project to be completed and is due to open this autumn. The restoration will provide a central space where local people and community groups can take part in activities and gatherings, access health services and wellbeing advice, and seek business and employment guidance.
Another Glastonbury Town Deal project scheduled to complete this autumn is the year-round, educational visitor destination at St Brigid’s Chapel & Field. This will protect, interpret and make accessible the rich heritage and natural environment of some 33 acres, creating a gateway to the understanding of the Pagan and Christian histories of the town.
The community-led Glastonbury Food and Regenerative Farming Centre is another project expected to be finished this autumn, totalling five completed projects this year. This educational research centre will demonstrate natural methods for growing food, land management and promote a holistic approach to wellbeing for land, human and animal symbiosis. It is intended to be a place for all age groups to grow together, while skill sharing, immersed in nature.
One Town Deal project, the Life Factory within the Red Brick Building, has had its funding paused due to financial and project management concerns. This project is under a forensic audit examination by SW Audit Partnership for Somerset Council, the accountable body for all the projects. While this has led to issues with non-payment of some contractors, the Town Deal board stresses that this is an isolated issue and there are no concerns about the financial probity of any other project in the Town Deal programme.
The Robert Richards Initiative, which is being delivered across multiple projects, is on target to complete by March 2026. This encompasses sustainable build measures in six of the Glastonbury Town Deal projects, plus new green infrastructure via walking and cycling paths at Tor Leisure and Beckery. The multi-use paths already installed at Tor Leisure have been a great success and are being well-used by local residents for leisure and as a safe, car-free route from residential areas into the town centre.
The remaining Glastonbury Town Deal projects are all scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2026, as per the Towns Fund requirements. These are:
The phase one renovations at the historic Baily’s Buildings, creating a vibrant hub of offices, studios and workspaces for small and growing businesses.
An Enabling Project that aims to sustainably improve the situation for the local non-bricks and mortar communities by providing a permanent site, subject to securing planning consent.
The Glastonbury Clean Energy project, which is investing in renewable energy generation and EV charging facilities. This project has already installed two rooftop arrays in the town, on St Dunstan’s School and Brunelcare.
Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal board, said: “The £23.6million Glastonbury Town Deal investment is ambitious and complex, but our aspiration is for every person in Glastonbury to be positively affected by one or more of the projects.
“Although the Glastonbury Town Deal board is advisory, the board members have worked tirelessly, in an unpaid voluntary capacity, since 2019. In partnership with Somerset Council, we are proud to support the successful delivery of the Town Investment Plan through the ten Town Deal projects, along with the achievement of their targets, outcomes and impacts in the longer-term. Together these projects will transform our town, providing better resources, facilities and opportunities for the people of Glastonbury.”
Jane Sharp, Programme Manager for the Glastonbury Town Deal, said: “It’s really exciting that two town centre projects have been completed and a third will be open soon. We are working closely with project leads to ensure they have the support they need to successfully deliver their projects by the end of March 2026 deadline.”
Glastonbury was awarded £23.6million investment through the government’s Towns Fund scheme. This once-in-a-generation funding aims to revitalise the town, bringing existing assets back into community use, and working with local communities to develop the spaces and resources they want and need. The vision is to support and transform Glastonbury as a sustainable, prosperous modern town and global tourist centre, drawing on its rural landscape, history and unique legacy.
