Glastonbury is in the middle of a major glow-up – and it's not just the tourists noticing.

Thanks to a £23.6 million government investment, the town is transforming from the ground up with new facilities, green upgrades and community hubs already opening their doors.

Two of the town's ten 'Town Deal' projects are already finished and being put to good use.

Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal board, said: "The £23.6million Glastonbury Town Deal investment is ambitious and complex, but our aspiration is for every person in Glastonbury to be positively affected by one or more of the projects.

 "Although the Glastonbury Town Deal board is advisory, the board members have worked tirelessly, in an unpaid voluntary capacity, since 2019.

"In partnership with Somerset Council, we are proud to support the successful delivery of the Town Investment Plan through the ten Town Deal projects, along with the achievement of their targets, outcomes and impacts in the longer-term. Together these projects will transform our town, providing better resources, facilities and opportunities for the people of Glastonbury." 

Big spend, bigger plans

First to cross the finish line was the £2.2m revamp of Tor Sports and Leisure, which reopened in February. Locals now have access to a modern gym, upgraded bar and new community spaces. On opening day, more than 600 people poured through the doors. Somerset Council's Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said the work had "revitalised" the ageing centre, and praised the project for delivering on time and within budget.

Also officially open is the new Abbey Yard entrance, a smartly redesigned space leading into Glastonbury Abbey. It now offers a proper welcome to one of the town's biggest tourist draws, complete with a café, gift shop and access to the historic St Patrick's Chapel.

Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal board, called it a "beautiful new space" that shows what's possible when the town pulls together.

More to come – and soon

Three more projects are on track to open by autumn 2025. They include:

• St Dunstan's House, which is being transformed into a central health and wellbeing hub – offering everything from NHS services to business advice.
• St Brigid's Chapel and Field, restoring a piece of Glastonbury's Pagan and Christian heritage while adding a peaceful new green space.
• And the Glastonbury Food and Regenerative Farming Centre, a community farm teaching sustainable agriculture and helping reconnect people with nature.

"This is what people told us they wanted," said programme manager Jane Sharp. "We're not in the business of destroying what people love. It's about getting the details right."

The farm, in particular, is already attracting volunteers and school visits, and has big plans to become a hands-on learning hub.

But not everything's smooth sailing

One project – the Life Factory, set inside the Red Brick Building – has hit a wall. Work has been paused after questions were raised about its finances and project management.

Somerset Council has ordered a forensic audit before allowing any more cash to be spent.

There are reports of unpaid contractors and rising tensions, but supporters - and the town council - say the project isn't dead.

Councillor Indra Donfrancesco told the town council earlier this year the Life Factory "has not run out of money" and urged people not to spread "rumours and accusations".

The audit is ongoing, and officials insist the rest of the Town Deal projects are unaffected.

Greener, cleaner, and better connected

The Town Deal doesn't just stop at buildings. There's also a push to make Glastonbury greener and easier to get around without a car.

Under the Robert Richards Initiative (named after the late local leader), new walking and cycling paths have already been added at Tor Leisure – with more to come, linking St Brigid's, the farm, and residential areas.

Cllr Liz Leyshon says it's about giving people safe, simple options: "People will start using the paths without even realising they're being directed onto a safer route."

And it's working – locals are already using the new paths for everything from school runs to dog walks.

Eyes on the 2026 finish line

Despite one stalled project, the rest of Glastonbury's Town Deal plans are full steam ahead. By March 2026, all ten projects are expected to be completed – including the massive Baily's Buildings redevelopment, which is converting two derelict factories into enterprise space for small businesses.

Jane Sharp, Programme Manager for the Glastonbury Town Deal, said: "It's really exciting that two town centre projects have been completed and a third will be open soon. We are working closely with project leads to ensure they have the support they need to successfully deliver their projects by the end of March 2026 deadline."

"This is a transformational period for Glastonbury," said Somerset Council. And Dr Sedgmore agrees: "The synergy of the different projects is a powerful testament to the hard work taking place. These are projects that will deliver for Glastonbury long-term."