Yeovil councillors have voiced strong concerns over Somerset Council’s decision to charge fees for hosting public events at The Triangle, the recently regenerated town centre space. The Triangle, featuring a new amphitheatre officially opened in January by local councillors and Yeovil MP Adam Dance, was funded by a multi-million-pound grant from the government’s Future High Streets Fund to revitalize the area and encourage community gatherings.
Despite being open for nearly four months, the venue has hosted only a handful of events. Key features such as the fountain and the large TV screen are not yet operational, which has disappointed local representatives. Councillors Adrian Wilkes (Abbey Manor South) and Tareth Casey (Westland) specifically criticized Somerset Council for proposing charges for using The Triangle for civic events—charges they argue contradict the purpose of creating an accessible public space funded by public money.
Mr. Wilkes expressed his frustration on social media, highlighting the paradox of local taxpayers funding both Somerset Council and Yeovil Town Council only for Somerset Council to impose fees on the town council’s own civic activities. “Why is Somerset Council charging the people of Yeovil to use our town to hold our own events in places paid for by central government?” he asked.
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Sharing this viewpoint, Mr. Casey underscored that The Triangle was intended to be a vibrant public space free from bureaucratic barriers that restrict local cultural and community events. He called on Somerset Council for urgent clarity and urged the removal of obstacles that hinder the use of the space.
In response, Somerset Council confirmed a standard flat fee of £64.59 (inclusive of VAT) for all free-to-public events held at The Triangle. This fee covers administrative costs related to event permits and support. The council also noted that the quote provided for the Yeovil Town Council’s town crier event was declined.
Additionally, Somerset Council announced that the fountain is currently undergoing commissioning, and the big screen is scheduled to be operational by June 18.
Attention is now shifting to the regeneration of the Glovers Walk site on Middle Street, where demolition work has progressed and a temporary green space is planned for creation by autumn. The council is simultaneously developing a new masterplan aimed at further revitalizing Yeovil’s town centre, with public consultation expected later this year.