Somerset Council has been criticized for taking too long to halt the troubled Life Factory project in Glastonbury, according to a recently published ‘lessons learned’ report. The report highlights critical errors in oversight, financial control, and governance, ultimately delaying necessary intervention.
Chief Executive Duncan Sharkey issued a formal apology on December 9 for the missteps in this £2.89 million publicly funded initiative aimed at transforming the Red Brick Building on Morland Road into a mixed-use community hub with event spaces and offices. Audits by Grant Thornton and the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) revealed that inadequate project management and unclear progress metrics plagued the development from early stages.
Originally funded through the government’s Towns Fund accelerator scheme in late 2020, the Life Factory initially received £250,000 to commence refurbishment work on Building C. While initial structural work was completed, the project faltered due to poor financial planning, failed grant applications, and unsuccessful attempts to secure match funding.
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The project’s delivery was further complicated by its execution through Beckery Construction Company, a subsidiary of the Red Brick Building board. This arrangement diluted oversight and weakened the council’s ability to influence outcomes. Repeated deficiencies in project documentation and payment claims led to funds being rapidly spent without clear results.
The council paused the project in January 2024 amid mounting concerns but continued “targeted payments” to cover apprenticeships and safety measures. Despite these efforts, a follow-up audit in mid-2024 exposed ongoing issues such as weak procurement compliance and lack of costed plans. In November 2025, Somerset Council formally terminated the project and sought repayment of over £2.2 million from Red Brick Building Centre Ltd.
Furthermore, the report identifies organizational challenges, including the loss of key town deal board members in late 2023, which eroded institutional knowledge and project oversight. Recognizing these governance shortcomings, Somerset Council has pledged to strengthen risk management, financial controls, and transparency in future projects. Enhanced procedures will apply broadly across local government initiatives funded by the Towns Fund, Levelling Up Fund, and Future High Streets Fund.
Duncan Sharkey emphasized the council’s commitment to learning from these failures: “We recognize the failings of the past and are taking comprehensive actions to embed stronger governance, ensuring public funds are safeguarded and future projects deliver real community benefits.”
The Life Factory saga will remain under scrutiny at Somerset Council’s audit committee meeting scheduled for December 22, where further discussions on accountability and remedies are expected.