Around 150 people attended the first community-focused open day event about the Glastonbury Town Deal projects, sharing their ideas for the proposed St Dunstan's House Community and Wellbeing Centre.

The event took place recently at St Dunstan's House, providing an opportunity for members of the local community to have a look around the building and share their suggestions on what they would like to see delivered from the new centre.

The aim of this project is to provide a Covid-secure hub where local community groups and organisations can meet, learn and do business, helping to grow the economy, reduce deprivation, and improve health and wellbeing for local residents.

Boards and flipcharts were provided so that people could write their suggestions for everyone to read.

Comments ranged from ideas on the structure of the building itself to the types of support, facilities and activities that could be offered from the new centre.

Gerard Tucker, town clerk for Glastonbury Town Council, which is leading this project, said: "The event in St Dunstan's House attracted approximately 150 people over the two sessions and we received some really positive feedback about the fact that the wider community was invited to get involved.

"We are now reviewing all the comments made at the event and, from these, will begin to shape the detail of what the project will deliver in the future for the Glastonbury community."

Glastonbury Town Deal Board member Jacqueline Cross said: "It was really encouraging to see so many local people coming along to have a look around and provide input on what they want the centre to deliver.

"This is the first in a series of open day events about the Town Deal projects that we will be running over the coming months for the local community.

"These projects are being delivered by Glastonbury, for Glastonbury, so we'd encourage as many people as possible to come along and have their say."

Any members of the local community who would like to provide input on the proposed St Dunstan's House Community and Wellbeing Centre but who were unable to attend the open day event can email their comments to [email protected] before the end of October.

Open day events for other Town Deal projects will be taking place over the coming months.

Glastonbury is one of 101 towns in the UK to receive investment as part of the government's Town Deal Fund scheme.

Set to bring £23.6 million of investment into the town, it received the highest award in the South West and one of the highest per capita in England.

The Town Investment Plan (TIP) was developed by the Town Deal Board through engagement with key partners, businesses, community groups and Mendip District Council as the lead authority.

It aims to deliver a necessary "levelling up" opportunity for the town, bringing existing assets back into community use, and working with local communities to develop the spaces and resources that they want and need.

The overall aim is for Glastonbury to be a sustainable, prosperous, modern town and global tourist centre, drawing on its rural landscape, history and unique legacy.

For further information, visit: www.mendip.gov.uk/glastotowndeal

Read the published TIP here: www.mendip.gov.uk/towninvestmentplan