The future of the troubled Somerset regeneration project at the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury remains uncertain after the government extended the deadline to spend all related funds by an additional 12 months.
Located on Morland Road, the Red Brick Building underwent major renovation under the £23.6 million Glastonbury town deal, aiming to transform the derelict ‘Building C’ into a community event space, offices, and other facilities. However, significant concerns over project management led Somerset Council to pause funding in January 2024.
A critical audit by the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) in May 2025 highlighted serious mismanagement issues. Following this, no further funding has been released as the council and the Glastonbury town deal board review the project’s future.
READ MORE: Shopkeepers’ Fury Over ‘Undemocratic’ Bin Collection Change That Could Cost Businesses Thousands
READ MORE: Massive 2,500-Home Development Near Trowbridge Approved
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officially extended the deadline for spending town deal funds to March 2027. This extension came shortly before Parliament’s summer recess, providing councils more time to allocate or return unused monies. However, as of now, no funding recipients have sought to spend beyond this date.
Alex Norris MP, parliamentary under-secretary for democracy and local growth, emphasized that while some projects may continue delivery using match funding, all town deal monies must be spent by the new deadline. Council chief executive Duncan Sharkey confirmed ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to determine next steps while further audit work proceeds.
Somerset Council states that all remaining town deal projects are expected to conclude by spring 2026, but decisions specifically about the Red Brick Building are still pending. A spokesperson noted, “We are currently reviewing project timelines and conducting an option appraisal for the Life Factory project. No final decisions have been made regarding unspent funding.”
With the council still weighing its options, the fate of this key regeneration scheme remains unresolved, leaving the community and stakeholders awaiting clarity on the next chapter for the Red Brick Building.