£19.7 million to repurpose former Bridgwater Hospital from Levelling Up Fund
The Grade II listed building has been empty since 2014
Last updated 19th Jan 2023
More than £19 million will go towards the former Bridgwater Hospital, after a succesful bid to the Government's Levelling Up fund.
Sedgemoor District Council and their partners say they are "delighted" at the news.
The former hospital, which has laid empty since the opening of a new hospital in 2014, will be repurposed as a training centre for health and social care workers.
Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset who endorsed the bid said “What a great day for Bridgwater. Hot on the heels of eleven business cases in £23m Bridgwater Town Deal being approved by Government, we are over the moon to hear that an additional £20million is coming into the town”
The project will see the building returned to public use, creating a integrated skills development and learning academy, to help train and upskill key workers in the care sector.
Once the £19.7 million has been invested, its hoped it will generate more regeneration in the area including
- Add value to the wider £23.2 million Town Deal programme in Bridgwater
- Drive further footfall to the town centre
- Create new jobs and potential for key-worker housing to be included.
Councillor Duncan McGinty, leader of Sedgemoor District Council commented, on behalf of all the partners, said: “After the bad news over the last couple of days – the bus crash and the threat of flooding in the area – this is a fantastic shot in the arm for Sedgemoor and its partners. We are absolutely delighted that the bid was accepted and look forward to work starting on this fantastic project. We hope that work will start late Summer 2023, subject to the necessary planning and listed building processes.