A major employer is set to move into Glastonbury's Baily's Buildings, giving the long-awaited regeneration project a clear lift ahead of its first phase finishing in July.

The business, which has not yet been named, will take up most of the West Building and bring around 35 full-time jobs to the site this year. There are plans to grow that number to about 50.

The company will base its headquarters there, along with training space, bringing day-to-day activity back into a site that has stood largely empty for decades.

Once home to a busy tannery and glove factory, the Grade II listed buildings fell into disrepair in the 1980s. They are now being brought back into use with funding from the Glastonbury Town Deal.

The site has been in the care of the Beckery Island Regeneration Trust (BIRT) since 2011. The aim is simple: turn a derelict stretch of historic buildings into a place where businesses, learners and the community can share space.

Work has picked up pace in recent months. A new lift and stair core are now in place, making the building easier to use. The original cast iron windows have been restored, and large sections of the roof repaired to keep the weather out.

There has also been a push to improve the site for wildlife, with bat lofts installed and planting already underway.

Behind the scenes, the project has tried to keep its footprint down. Builders have reused materials where possible and diverted more than 30 tonnes of waste away from landfill.

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The work has also fed into the local economy. Around £2.2 million has gone to contractors based within 30 miles of Glastonbury during this first phase.

Ian Tucker, chair of BIRT, said securing a main tenant before the work is finished shows there is real demand for the space and confidence in the project's future.

Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke said the buildings have always been a key part of the town's plans for growth, adding that bringing them back into use would open doors for local businesses and training.

Councillor Mike Rigby of Somerset Council said it was good to see a site once known for skilled jobs starting to return to that role.

The first phase of the project has been backed by £6.3 million from the Town Deal, alongside a further £650,000 to support low-energy building work.

With a major tenant now lined up and construction nearing completion, the buildings are close to reopening as a working part of the town once again.

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