The future of the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury hangs in the balance following the collapse of the Life Factory regeneration project, which squandered nearly £3 million of public funds.
On December 9, Somerset Council chief executive Duncan Sharkey formally apologised for the mismanagement of the Life Factory initiative, which aimed to revitalize a section of the Red Brick Building on Morland Road into a vibrant community hub with event spaces, offices, and other facilities. Instead, the project ended in failure, leaving the building’s board grappling with severe financial strain.
A recent ‘lessons learned’ report, issued after a scathing audit by Grant Thornton, exposed numerous shortcomings in oversight and decision-making. Local Conservative councillor Susannah Hurt has urged the council to avoid throwing good money after bad in any attempt to salvage the project.
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In a detailed statement released on December 22 via the building’s official Facebook page, the Red Brick Building board revealed the dire financial position that threatens closure. The board addressed widespread misinformation and negative media coverage surrounding the situation, stressing the importance of public clarity.
“The future of the Red Brick Building will be decided within the next few weeks,” the statement read. An independent financial review is underway, alongside crucial discussions with Somerset Council, to determine whether this vital community asset can survive or will be forced to shut down.
Previously bound by confidentiality due to grant agreements, the board declined to comment until now to avoid jeopardising the organisation while attempting to resolve the crisis. However, a recent visit from a Somerset Council division member to meet staff and tenants—many at risk of losing workspaces and livelihoods—prompted the board to speak out.
Before the Life Factory fiasco, the Red Brick Building thrived as a bustling community hub featuring a community garden, active youth club, offices for local businesses, and a popular café and restaurant. It was financially stable and well-managed, securing Life Factory funding under the Glastonbury town deal.
Although the Life Factory project and the Red Brick Building shared a board of directors, they operated independently day-to-day. The board admitted inadequate oversight and weak decision-making plagued the project from the outset, issues first flagged with Mendip District Council and later with Somerset Council after it assumed accountability in April 2023.
Despite Somerset Council pausing funding in January 2024, additional payments amounting to £420,000 were made post-pause to cover apprentices and structural work. During this period, the Red Brick Building exhausted its reserves to pay Life Factory staff and contractors, resulting in financial exposure and operational strain.
This crisis directly contributed to losing the anchor tenant, The Old Tannery restaurant, compounding revenue shortfalls. The board cited the council’s decision to seek clawback of nearly £2.3 million in grant funds as a devastating blow, pushing the organisation toward potential insolvency.
Closure would displace numerous small businesses, social enterprises, staff, and volunteers, while also disrupting essential community activities. These include mental health support sessions, music events, and heritage group meetings, all deeply woven into Glastonbury’s social fabric.
The board lamented the toll of prolonged investigations and baseless rumours of financial impropriety, which have severely damaged morale and reputation when community support is most needed.
Despite these challenges, a fully costed recovery plan and emergency funding package have been developed to stabilise and rebuild the centre while addressing outstanding debts linked to Life Factory pressures. The board’s hope now rests on the independent financial review and Somerset Council’s willingness to act in the community’s best interests.
The council confirmed it has taken steps to reclaim public funds and continues to engage with the Red Brick Building board to understand the financial landscape and explore possible next steps.
As the community anxiously awaits a resolution, the fate of one of Glastonbury’s cherished community landmarks remains uncertain.