Glastonbury MP hosts crunch meeting as shop owners demand action on town centre problems

Fed-up Glastonbury business owners packed out a meeting hosted by Sarah Dyke MP on Friday, demanding action on anti-social behaviour and warning that years of inaction are pushing the town to a tipping point.
More than 30 local traders turned up for the business roundtable, held in the town centre, to vent frustrations and push for real solutions. Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody and Sergeant Simon Lancey were among those at the table, alongside Glastonbury Town Council and Chamber of Commerce representatives.
Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke said she was "delighted" by the turnout — and made it clear she's not interested in sticking plasters.
"I am delighted that so many of our brilliant businesses took the time on a very warm Friday night to come and share their experiences, ideas and many proactive solutions to this issue," she said.
"While a small number of people have been causing issues in the town centre, it doesn't diminish the wonderful destination that Glastonbury presents, and I'm very optimistic solutions going into force over the next months will have a very visible effect."
She's already written to Somerset Council to demand the return of a Public Space Protection Order and says several other urgent actions are now on her to-do list.
"The consensus was clear: we as a community can tackle this issue with compassion, strength and collaboration," she added. "The issues we face are the result of years of underinvestment and stripping away of public services, but they are solvable."
Police updated attendees on new measures being rolled out, including the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee — which will see more officers on the streets — and "hotspot" patrols already in action. Sergeant Lancey confirmed Glastonbury is set to get nine new bobbies on the beat.
Dyke also met earlier in the day with Inspector Rachel Clark, who shared updates on the broader picture in Glastonbury.
But while more patrols are welcome, Ms Dyke stressed that policing alone won't fix the problem. She pointed to mental health, housing, addiction and poverty as key drivers that need long-term answers.
She's now pushing for a joined-up plan bringing together local authorities, police, health teams and community groups, promising to lead efforts to rebuild resilience and restore confidence.
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