Somerset Council is actively seeking to recover public funds following the liquidation of Beckery Construction Company Ltd., the firm responsible for delivering a key regeneration project in Glastonbury. The project centered on transforming the derelict ‘Building C’ of the Red Brick Building on Morland Road into a vibrant community space as part of a £23.6 million Glastonbury town deal.
The Life Factory project, valued at £2.89 million, faced serious management issues, prompting the council to pause funding in January 2024. In May 2025, the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) harshly criticized the project’s management, highlighting a series of failures. Beckery Construction went into liquidation in early November, leaving many subcontractors unpaid since March 2024.
Community concerns surfaced in May 2024 as tradespeople involved in the project reported not receiving wages, which escalated tensions. The situation reached a tragic peak during a March 2025 council meeting when health and safety consultant Jonathan Wilkins revealed that his wife, Angela, had died by suicide due to the stress linked to the project’s turmoil.
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Locals, including Taunton resident Brenda Orr, warned of a potential £2.4 million loss to taxpayers if government clawbacks occur through the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Deputy leader Liz Leyshon assured that options for the Red Brick Building’s future would be reviewed ahead of Christmas, clarifying that the council held no liabilities for the project’s creditors under the original grant terms.
On November 5, the council’s executive committee discussed the Life Factory matter in a closed session citing commercial sensitivity. Details remain withheld due to the ongoing Avon and Somerset Constabulary investigation.
A council spokesperson commented, “This is a complex matter, and we are working through a series of actions to protect public funds and manage risks for the local community – including consideration of seeking recovery of funding already allocated through appropriate means. We referred our concerns to the police earlier this year and are cooperating fully. We cannot share further details at this stage to ensure due process is followed.”
Somerset Council continues its efforts to navigate the aftermath of the failed regeneration project, aiming to safeguard public money and find a path forward for the Glastonbury community.