The historic Baily’s Buildings in Glastonbury have been meticulously restored and reopened, now serving as a state-of-the-art business hub supporting local enterprises. Located on Beckery Old Road, the site was a key employer in the town until its closure in the 1980s.
Originally, the buildings operated as a tannery and later as a manufacturer of gloves and rugs during the 1800s. In later years, the factory specialised in sporting goods, notably producing boxing gloves worn by legendary figures such as Henry Cooper, Muhammad Ali, and Floyd Patterson.
The restoration project has been a collaborative effort between the Beckery Island Regeneration Trust (BIRT), Beard Construction, and the Dowlas Property Group. Over three years, they have transformed the western building into tailored business units, supported by approximately £7 million in central government funding through the Glastonbury town deal.
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The first phase of this revitalised facility was officially opened on Saturday, 18 July, with the first tenants expected to move in within weeks. The launch event attracted over 100 local residents and dignitaries. Ian Tucker, a BIRT trustee and former Glastonbury Town Council member for 50 years, delivered a speech commemorating the milestone.
Tucker highlighted the historical significance of the site, referencing Sir Hubert Parry’s inspiration atop Wearyall Hill, which led to the composition of the music to William Blake’s poem ‘Jerusalem,’ now referred to as ‘The Glastonbury Song.’ The ceremony continued with spirited performances of “Jerusalem” by the Glastonbury Brass Band and local choirs, followed by a blessing from Reverend Alice Watson, vicar of St John’s Church.
Glastonbury mayor Zoe Prince expressed her pleasure at the project, stating, “This is a project that celebrates both our heritage and our future. I am delighted to see this building given a new lease of life; may it serve our community well for many years to come.”
The site incorporates two buildings separated by the newly renamed Millstream Square, which follows the route of Beckery Old Road but is now closed to motorised traffic. The western building’s regeneration includes office and employment spaces across four storeys, complete with a secure car park and an electric vehicle charging hub.
The building is fully accessible, featuring a new lift, high-quality heating and air conditioning, and high-speed broadband. Efforts were made to preserve much of the building’s historic character, retaining original bricks and windows.
Dowlas project manager Matt Tyler described the transformation as “phenomenal,” noting that tenants occupy the first and second floors and part of the third, bringing together around 50 staff. While the ground floor remains available, there has been significant interest, with plans to introduce manufacturing space to reinvigorate local industry.
“We want that to be a manufacturing space, bringing some industry back to Glastonbury,” said Tyler.
Work is progressing incrementally, allowing completed units to be marketed and generating rental income to fund further development. Future phases will include additional toilet facilities, a café, and more flexible office or workspace.
Tyler emphasised the importance of securing funding for the remaining phases, saying, “We want to complete the building and make it a space for everybody. This is an asset for the whole community, regenerating this part of Glastonbury for the benefit of the entire town.”
BIRT is currently applying for grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to advance the project, with a decision on the second round expected on 8 August.
Somerset Council deputy leader Liz Leyshon, who represents the nearby Street division, affirmed the council’s commitment to supporting the project through its economic development team. Reflecting on the area’s industrial past, she praised the restoration, calling it “a beautiful job” that has made the building even better than before.
Leyshon added, “This is the biggest of the town deal projects, and it’s the one where most people will come in to work. I can’t wait to see it back in full use. We know that there’s some more work to be done to get the next rooms complete and join up the different parts of the building so that there’s more let-able space - that’s the next stage.”