The Red Brick Building Centre Ltd. has released a public statement in response to Somerset Council's announcement that no further funding will be released for Glastonbury's £3m Life Factory project.

In a statement published on 16 May, the organisation said it was "deeply disappointed" by the preliminary findings of Somerset Council's audit, which concluded that the Life Factory "cannot be successfully delivered in line with the Grant Funding Agreement".

The Red Brick Building said that it had itself raised concerns in early 2024 over the management of the project by Beckery Construction Company, which triggered the audit process and a pause in funding.

Since then, a new leadership team at Red Brick has been working with the council and the Glastonbury Town Deal Board to try to address the issues and seek a way forward.

"The preliminary findings are sobering and reflect failings in financial oversight, governance, and project delivery across all parties," the statement reads. "We recognise and accept that Red Brick Building Centre Ltd., under previous management, played a role in this outcome. But we also note Somerset Council's acknowledgement that their 'level of oversight and monitoring of this project could have been strengthened'. It is clear that this was a collective failure."

The group said it regrets that the Life Factory project will no longer continue in its original form but remains open to exploring alternative plans for regenerating the derelict building in Beckery. Somerset Council has indicated that remaining funds may still be made available if a viable alternative is proposed.

Red Brick also said it was "deeply distressed" by the impact the council's decision may have on the Life Factory's creditors but reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and transparency moving forward.

The group took care to distinguish between the failed Life Factory project and the existing Red Brick Building community centre, which it described as a "separate" and "thriving" space.

"The work of the operational Red Brick Building community centre is not a part of the issues raised in the audit, and remains a testament to what a well-managed, community-driven organisation can achieve," the statement says.

The organisation concluded by confirming it will fully cooperate with ongoing processes and audits, both into the Life Factory and Somerset Council, and reiterated its focus on "rebuilding trust—with our partners, our funders and, most importantly, our community."