A bakery and a residency for international artists form part of diversification plans from the Green Man Festival. Green Man, which has been held in Powys for nearly 20 years and which is one the last remaining large independently-owned festivals in the UK, is planning to run the projects at a 240-acre farm near to its existing leased festival site on the Glanusk Estate.
While the Welsh Government’s acquisition of Gilestone Farm has faced criticism, Green Man chief executive Fiona Stewart said that under a yet-to-be-signed-off lease agreement, the diversification of Green Man would create not just new business activities but much-needed jobs and training opportunities.
The Welsh Government has been questioned for acquiring Gilestone Farm for £4.25m without sign-off on the detailed business case for Green Man’s expansion. It has a history of acquiring land and property assets before being able to confirm new tenants. Previously, it bought the freehold interest in the former Nippon Glass factory in Cardiff Bay, which allowed the then start-up in independent high-end television and film production firm, Bad Wolf, to take occupancy.
