A major new £1.6million project that aims to “breathe new life” into Burnham-On-Sea town centre has suffered a setback this week with the news that a major funding bid has not been successful.
At a meeting of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council on Monday (November 12th), it was announced that a bid for just over £1million of funding from the government’s Coastal Communities Fund has been turned down.
The funding was earmarked for improvements in the town centre, including an overhaul of the former job centre, as part of the ‘Burnham Evolution Project’.
Town Council Clerk Tatiana Cant confirmed: “We have been unsuccessful because of a high number of bids amounting to £246m across the UK for just £40m of available funding.”
“It’s very disappointing news, but we are not too disheartened because we have several other irons in the fire to secure funding.”
The Town Council will hear later this month whether it has secured £350,000 of funding from the Hinkley Point C Community Impact Mitigation (CIM) Fund.
The council is also awaiting news on a further £50,000 grant bid with the Coastal Revival Fund.
If successful, the cash will allow a refurbishment of The Princess Theatre and allow other improvements in the town centre, including changes to the seafront.
The Town Council heard last week that it has secured £8,000 of funding for a new seafront trim trail as part of the Burnham Evolution Project.
The project aims to make Burnham-On-Sea more attractive for visitors and residents.
The Burnham Evolution project business case was signed off in June, as we reported here.
