Published: 19 October 2023
A £36,800 Building Improvement Grant from Benefact Trust is helping to transform the visitor experience at Glastonbury Abbey through its exciting piazza project.
The project is part of the Glastonbury Town Deal, which is £23.6m investment to ‘level up’ the town, with regeneration and sustainability at the heart of each of its 11 projects. The Glastonbury Abbey piazza project is a significant piece of this work and aims to improve visibility and accessibility of the site, whilst also boosting the local economy and enhancing the historic, cultural, and international significance of the abbey.
The new landscaped space will offer a year-round schedule of free community events; a rejuvenated abbey entrance, shop, café and toilets; and free access to St. Patrick’s Chapel.
Paul Playford, Senior Grants and Operations Officer for Benefact Trust, said: “We’re excited to support the piazza project and help to transform the visitor experience at Glastonbury Abbey. We love to fund projects with a strong community focus and this work will bring the Abbey into the heart of the town, providing a hub for people to gather and connect with each other and the Abbey itself.”
Our funding coincides with a grant from the Wolfson Foundation, which alongside support from the Towns Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund will help to make this ambitious project possible.
Commenting on the grants, Janet Bell MBE (Glastonbury Abbey Director and project lead) said: “We are very excited to receive the support of the Wolfson Foundation and Benefact Trust for our piazza project and extend our thanks to all who made it possible. Their generous contributions will help us to offer a visitor experience and community space of world-class standard.”
Julie Reader-Sullivan, Assistant Director at Somerset Council, said: “We are delighted to hear this exciting news. Securing this level of additional funding is testament to the profile of the project and the impact this will have for visitors and residents. I know that the Piazza project will enhance the profile of the town when the work is complete.”
Benefact Trust provides essential support to protect and enhance churches and Christian charity buildings. Find out more about our Building Improvement Grants programme.
