A former director at the centre of Glastonbury's £3 million Life Factory collapse has spoken out – saying the building must be made watertight and local contractors paid before the damage gets any worse.

John Capper, who sat on the boards of both the Red Brick Building and Beckery Construction Company, quit in November 2023 after raising concerns about the financial state of the project.

"I could not obtain the financial clarity about the project that I needed to adequately discharge my duties," he said.

Now, with the building exposed to the elements and dozens of workers unpaid, he says the town must focus on damage control.

"The immediate priority is to put on a roof and get the building watertight so there are future options for developing the space on a phased basis," Mr Capper said.

"My sympathies are with the local contractors who have provided services in good faith, and I believe all legitimate claims should be paid.

"I also believe that given time the Red Brick Building could raise sufficient funds to complete the project in a modified form, despite rising construction costs."

Mr Capper's wife, Lynne Sedgmore, is chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board – a connection he openly declared while serving as director.

His comments come after a damning independent audit revealed how the Life Factory project spiralled out of control, with no match funding secured, no planning permission granted, and no clear plan for delivering the promised community hub.

The Red Brick Building, just off the A39 Street Road, was meant to become a flagship redevelopment site under the government's £23.6 million Town Deal. But with more than £2.3 million spent and the building still without a roof, Somerset Council has now pulled the plug on any further funding.

The audit found there was no formal contract between Red Brick and its construction arm, poor financial controls, and missing records. Contractors say they haven't been paid since March, and in one tragic case, a subcontractor said his wife took her own life due to the financial strain.

Mr Capper is one of the few involved in the early stages to speak publicly.

He insists the project is not beyond saving – but says the town must act fast before the site deteriorates further and more workers are pushed to breaking point.

(Source: Daniel Mumby/LDRS)