A Somerset MP has been left fuming after four arts venues (including two in her constituency) missed out on a share of £5m in government grants.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced in early-March 2024 that £5m of capital funding would be provided to cultural projects within the former Mendip area, which includes Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street and Wells.

Somerset Council confirmed in September 2024 that four venues had been short-listed for the grant, which was being reviewed by the new Labour government as part of its ongoing spending review.

The renamed Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now confirmed the funding has been withdrawn – leaving Frome and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine "deeply frustrated".

The four venues that had been set to benefit from the grant were the Cheese and Grain and the Lucky Chance Theatre in Frome, the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury and the Amulet Theatre in Shepton Mallet.

The Cheese and Grain – which had been provisionally awarded £1.7m of the £5m grant – intends to establish a new centre (referred to as 'Event Tec') providing more spaces for local recording artists, along with new storage facilities and an accessible toilet.

The Lucky Chance – which recently secured planning permission to install solar panels on its roof – wishes to make its base in the former Portway Methodist Church more wheelchair accessible, and improve its garden area to enhance the visitor experience.

Anna Sabine has been left 'deeply frustrated' by the announcement (image via Hansard)

The Somerset Rural Life Museum, on Chilkwell Street, intended to create an outdoor education and events space, as well as improving the insulation and heating of the building, enhancing accessibility and making it easier for people to walk and cycle between the museum and the town centre.

The Amulet project – which recently benefited from a donation of seats from the Cambridge Arts Theatre – would have seen the brutalist building brought back into community use for performances and events.

Ms Sabine said: "I am deeply frustrated and saddened that this opportunity has been lost for Frome and East Somerset, and that the Labour government have once again chosen to redirect crucial funds to build growth in other areas of the country, to the detriment of the south west.

"Time and again, this government has shown a neglect for Somerset and this comes as another blow for our community.

"There is so much potential for economic growth around the arts and we are a hub of creativity in Frome.

"It's discouraging to see such a lack of support from the government, but I have every belief in the Cheese and Grain that they will persevere and continue to grow the local economy via alternative means."

The Cheese and Grain has already been pursuing alternative methods of funding in anticipation of this funding being withdrawn, with Ms Sabine pledging to work with them to ensure the project saw the light of day.

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans added: "It's disheartening that funds seem to have been diverted to other areas of the country.

"We remain committed to providing support to the cultural sector of the economy, of which the Cheese and Grain and other projects involved are such a vital part."