Anchor tenant secured for regenerated Glastonbury site

The Baily's Buildings, on Beckery Old Road, served as one of the town's main employers until its closure in the 1980s.

Originally operating as a tannery, glove and rug manufacturer in the 1800s, the buildings later specialised in creating sporting goods - including boxing gloves worn by Henry Cooper, Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson.

The western building is being transformed into bespoke commercial units using £6.3m from the government-funded Glastonbury town deal, with the first phase of this important work expected to conclude in July.

Now an as-yet-unnamed anchor tenant has been secured, with the company moving into 60 per cent of the finished premises later in the year.

Scaffolding will be going up imminently for the historic Baily’s Buildings in Glastonbury this (Image: Jason-Bryant)

The derelict grade two listed buildings became the responsibility of the Beckery Island Regeneration Trust (BIRT) in 2011, with the trust aiming to "create a vibrant, multi-functional space" for local businesses, educational groups and community activities which could drive forward the wider regeneration of the area.

In the last few months, a new lift shaft and stair core have been installed to improve accessibility and future-proof the buildings for modern use, with the cast iron windows being fully restored and the building roofs being stabilised and made watertight.

Bat lofts and early planting schemes on and around the site have delivered a significant boost to biodiversity, with the construction seeking to retain as much of the character and architectural integrity of the original buildings as humanly possible.

More than 30 tonnes of hard-to-recycle waste has already been diverted from landfill or incineration via recycling partnerships, reinforcing the project’s net-zero and ecological commitments.

BIRT chairman Ian Tucker said: "Securing an anchor tenant for the phase one renovation, and doing so several months ahead of the July completion, is an exciting milestone.

View from the roof of the Baily's Buildings in Glastonbury (Image: Daniel Mumby)

"It proves the project’s viability and attractiveness, as well as endorsing the need and model for future phases, with planning permission already in place to restore the whole complex of buildings.

"By bringing employment, education, history and community together, this project aims to put Glastonbury’s industrial heritage back at the heart of the local community.

"Through sensitive conservation, sustainable design and a strong focus on local benefit, the Baily’s Buildings are being brought back into productive use as a relevant and resilient asset for the town and for future generations."

The new anchor tenant will bring together several of their existing offices to create a company headquarters with training facilities, with around 35 full-time jobs moving to the site and an additional 15 jobs being created.

The work on the Baily's Buildings is being completed incrementally, allowing each individual unit to be extensively marketed as its construction moves forward.

With each new section that is finished and let, rental income can be recirculated back into the building.

Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, said: "I am pleased to see real progress in securing an anchor tenant for the Baily’s Buildings, which marks an important step forward for this project.

"The restoration of these historic buildings has always been at the heart of the Glastonbury town deal, and it is encouraging to see that vision beginning to take shape.

"Bringing these spaces back into use as a hub for local start-ups, small and growing businesses, and as education and workshop spaces, will create new opportunities for our community while honouring the town’s proud industrial heritage.

"I am committed to continuing to support this cornerstone project to thrive, and to keeping a watching brief as it continues to progress."

Scaffolding on the Baily's Buildings on Beckery Old Road in Glastonbury (Image: Daniel Mumby)

The construction programme has sought to utilise local labour and materials wherever possible, with £2.2m worth of contracts being awarded to companies within 30 miles of the site, helping to keep carbon emissions down while fostering a sense of local ownership and pride in the project.

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: "The Baily’s Buildings were once in the centre of a thriving industry providing a range of skilled jobs.

"It’s great to see the site coming back into use and an anchor tenant being secured."

For more information on this and other projects within the Glastonbury town deal, visit www.glastonburytowndeal.co.uk.

The repaired roof of the Baily's Buildings on Beckery Old Road in Glastonbury (Image: Daniel Mumby)

On top of the £6.3m originally allocated to the project within the town deal, a further £650,000 was provided through the Robert Richards initiative, a separate town deal project named after the original chairman of the town deal board.

The initiative has provided support towards sustainable build measures, as well as delivering new multi-user paths across Glastonbury to provide a physical link between the different town deal projects.

These paths include a route between Benedict Street and Tor Sports & Leisure Centre (which benefited from a £2.2m revamp under the town deal), and a new path linking St Brigid’s Chapel and Field to Morland Road.