NEARLY half a century after the doors closed on one of Somerset’s iconic industrial buildings, it’s buzzing with people once again.

The former tannery Baily’s Building in Glastonbury made gloves for world famous boxer Muhammad Ali in its heyday, and has now become the new headquarters for South west-based Candlelight Homecare Services.

The building underwent a £7.6 million redevelopment through the Glastonbury Town Deal which was awarded a £23.6 million grant from the government’s Towns Fund initiative.

Part of the funding for the building came from the Town Deal’s Robert Richards Initiative which aims to deliver sustainability and help Glastonbury become carbon neutral.

Many of the original features in the buildings have been retained including exposed walls and the drying tower, while the refurbishment has retained its industrial feel harking back to its bygone days as a manufacturing hub.

Chairman of the Glastonbury Town Deal, Rob Taylor, said: “The regeneration and repurposing of the Baily’s Building has been a great success story.

Candlelight Homecare Services have moved into two floors of the refurbished building creating a new HQ.
Candlelight Homecare Services have moved into two floors of the refurbished building creating a new HQ. (Glastonbury Town Deal)

“Those behind the project have shown great passion for bringing this area of Glastonbury back into beneficial use, and I’m pleased that it could be supported through the Glastonbury Town Deal.

“This project truly epitomises the Town Deal; preserving Glastonbury’s unique heritage, restoring an existing building, and bringing important spaces back into use.”

More than 60 workers and carers from Candlelight Homecare Services have moved in across two floors creating its new headquarters, managing its four main branches across the UK.

Founder Cherry Catley-Day, who established the company almost 40 years ago, said: “From a kitchen table in Butleigh in 1988 to this wonderful new home in Glastonbury; what an incredible journey.

The refurbishment has been sympathetic to the building's past retaining many of its features.
The refurbishment has been sympathetic to the building's past retaining many of its features. (Glastonbury Town Deal)

“May this building be filled with ideas, opportunity, teamwork and above all, exceptional care for many years to come.”

The Grade II listed Baily’s Building, which began life as a tannery in the late 1800s and later went on to manufacture sheepskin products, rugs and gloves, has remained derelict since the 1980s when it closed its doors.

The idea of regenerating the old factory was the brainchild of the Beckery Island Regeneration Trust (BIRT), which was set up in the early 2000s to renovate historic commercial buildings in Glastonbury for use as new employment opportunities.

Chairman of the Trust, Ian Tucker, said: “Welcoming people back into the Baily’s Building has been decades in the making, and I am so proud that we have turned that dream into a reality.

The former drying tower has been retained with the refurbishment reflecting the industrial heritage of the building.
The former drying tower has been retained with the refurbishment reflecting the industrial heritage of the building. (Glastonbury Town Deal)

“As a listed building, we have been sympathetic to the factory’s heyday and maintained some of the fascinating original features, and when you now see the inside of the building you’ll realise why keeping that history and heritage alive was so important.

“What we have now created is a fabulous, welcoming space for local businesses and start-ups. Our next steps are now to explore further funding opportunities to bring the other Baily’s Buildings into use.”

BIRT is now seeking additional funds to renovate further parts of the former Baily’s Factory, including preserving the iconic chimney that dominates the skyline.