More than 50 business people attended an event at Abbey House in Glastonbury on 3rd March to hear about the opportunities that the Town Deal projects could bring for local suppliers.
With the town set to receive £23.6 million of investment, the Glastonbury Town Deal board members and support team are keen to ensure that local businesses benefit from the developments wherever possible.
The event was hosted by Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Mendip District Council, the lead authority for the Glastonbury Town Deal.
Dr Lynne Sedgmore, Temporary Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board and Julie Reader-Sullivan, Head of Service for Planning and Growth at Mendip District Council, gave a presentation outlining the Town Deal vision, objectives, projects, timescales and procurement process.
A wide range of industries were represented at the event, including trades such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry, as well as architecture, retail and food & drink, among others.
Although the Town Deal investment is allocated for capital projects only, such a significant amount of funding is expected to attract further investment into the town. As a result, there could be opportunities over the coming years for local businesses across a wide range of industries.
Discussions were had about how businesses might collaborate to make the most of the opportunities on offer, working together to increase their capacity and resources, while offering local experience and skills.
Local businesses were encouraged to register their interest with the Glastonbury Town Deal team. A registration form can be requested by emailing glastonburytowndeal@mendip.gov.uk
Jill Barker, Chair of Glastonbury Chamber and a member of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, said: “It was wonderful to see so many businesses come along to our event, keen to find out more about how they could potentially benefit from the Town Deal projects. The Glastonbury Town Deal is set to bring amazing opportunities, not only for the community of Glastonbury but also for the businesses in the town. Glastonbury Chamber will be working closely with the Town Deal Board and support team over the coming weeks and months, keeping local businesses informed about this exciting opportunity.”
Glastonbury is one of 101 towns in the UK to receive investment as part of the government’s Towns Fund scheme. Set to bring £23.6m of investment into the town, it received the highest award in the South West and one of the highest per capita in England.
The comprehensive Business Cases required by the government for each of the projects are currently being developed by the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, individual project teams and Mendip District Council. Although the overarching projects and outcomes are fixed, the detail of each project is yet to be confirmed, with the viability of all aspects currently being scrutinised. The Business Cases must be submitted to the government by the end of June 2022, with funds being released as and when the individual Business Cases have been approved.
The Glastonbury Town Investment Plan was developed by the Town Deal Board through engagement with key partners, businesses, community groups and Mendip District Council as the lead authority. It aims to deliver a necessary ‘levelling up’ opportunity for the town, bringing existing assets back into community use, and working with local communities to develop the spaces and resources that they want and need. The overall aim is for Glastonbury to be a sustainable, prosperous, modern town and global tourist centre, drawing on its rural landscape, history and unique legacy.
