AN eagerly-awaited redevelopment of the iconic Baily’s Buildings in Glastonbury is set to take a giant leap forward this month – as construction work gets underway.

Enabling works have been completed at the derelict former industrial site and tannery, with the construction phase now set to begin as part of the Glastonbury Town Deal project.

Two Grade II-listed factory buildings on the site, in Beckery Old Road, will be conserved and regenerated to create “a vibrant hub of offices, studios and workspaces for small and growing businesses, along with a café and workshop spaces for the local community”, the project said.

The scheme will feature net-zero construction, innovative design and energy-efficient technologies, along with a focus on retaining as much of the buildings’ architectural integrity and character as possible, the Glastonbury Town Deal added.

“By upgrading the building fabric, using fossil fuel-free heating solutions and efficient building services, the project aims to demonstrate how heritage conservation and sustainability can work hand in hand,” a spokesperson said.

Planning consent for the redevelopment of the Baily’s tannery and glove factory, including its iconic chimney, was secured in April 2024, with a bat licence granted in July 2024.

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A programme of enabling works has been undertaken since behind the scenes, including the establishment of temporary bat roosts, emergency repair works to the chimney, asbestos removal works and the installation of supports to stabilise the existing structures.

Now, the main construction works are set to begin in mid-to-late February, with the renovation of Building West being carried out first.

This phase of work is being funded by a £6.3m grant from the Glastonbury Town Deal and will be completed by the end of March next year.

The buildings – which were also home to Bailys when the company made the boxing gloves used in countless world championship fights – were granted to the Beckery Island Regeneration Trust (BIRT) in 2011.

Ian Tucker, chair of BIRT, said: “The regeneration of the Morland’s and Baily’s tanneries and factories is something this community has been working towards for more than 20 years.

“Now that transformation is finally happening.

“Over the coming weeks, people in the town will see scaffolding going up and construction works getting underway as our vision for a vibrant, sustainable hub of business, creativity and learning moves closer to becoming a reality.

“This is such an exciting time as we start to see real progress being made towards bringing these historic industrial buildings back into use for the benefit of the local community, creating employment, growth and new opportunities for Glastonbury.”

The Baily’s boxing glove believed to have been worn by Mohammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) in the match against Henry Cooper

Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, added: “We celebrate this flagship renovation as one of several examples of the transformation that this funding is delivering for the local community and our local economy.

“The synergy of the different Glastonbury Town Deal projects, as well as their individual contribution, is powerful testament to the hard work taking place and the many benefits being brought to our town.”

The buildings were originally constructed in the 19th century as a tannery, sheepskin, rug and glove manufactory.

The site evolved in the 20th century to produce sporting goods, including gloves worn by boxers such as Henry Cooper, Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson.

After the factories ceased operations in the 1980s, the buildings fell into disrepair and since 2011, BIRT has taken on the mission to conserve, reuse and regenerate the structures into a “vibrant space for local businesses, educational groups and community activities, while celebrating Glastonbury’s industrial past”.

The Glastonbury Town Deal is funded by the UK Government as part of the Towns Fund programme, and will see £23.6m of investment in Glastonbury.