MIDSOMER Norton’s MP has been left ‘deeply frustrated’ a leading Somerset music and arts venue will miss out on levelling up funding.

The Government’s recent decision to withdraw the levelling up funding for culture projects, previously promised to Somerset Council which would support Frome’s Cheese and Grain, has been met with disappointment.

Anna Sabine MP (Lib Dem, Frome and East Somerset) and Somerset Council leader Bill Revans have been left “disheartened” by the Labour Government’s blow to Somerset.

The £1.7million that had been provisionally awarded by the previous Conservative Government towards the Cheese and Grain’s rehearsal expansion and training plan, as part of the Levelling Up capital funding, has, under the current Government, been withdrawn. This final news comes after a consultation had been announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 which suggested the funding for projects across Somerset might be at risk, but the confirmation now comes as a blow to the area.

“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,” said Mrs Sabine.

“Time and again this Government has shown a neglect for Somerset and this comes as another blow for our community.”

Somerset Council, which had been in talks with the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government around the bid for several projects in Somerset, has also expressed their disappointment.

Councillor Bill Revans said: “It’s disheartening that funds seem to have been diverted to other areas of the country. Somerset Council remains 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.”