Somerset West Businesses Against Crime (SWBAC), a not-for-profit organisation that supports 40 businesses in the Burnham area, has submitted alternative proposals to the Town Council for how the development money should be spent in order to offset the impact of Tesco’s recent store expansion.
SWBAC says its plan is designed to offer traders the best opportunity to offset any potential negative impact from the expansion.
The bid comes just three weeks after the Town Council submitted its own plans to Sedgemoor District Council for how the same money should be spent, as Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here.
SWBAC’s Andy Sharman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It is widely agreed by the traders that we surveyed that the proposals suggested by the Town Council, whilst improving the aesthetics of the town, would not provide any significant support to their businesses in offsetting any potential negative impact from the Tesco expansion.”
He added that his group’s proposals focus on three areas – promoting trade in Burnham, supporting traders, and creating a cleaner, safer environment.
The group would spend £50,000 a year on new community safety wardens to help visitors and provide a visible reassurance to firms while reducing crime; £15,000 a year on shopfront grants to improve the appearance of the town and boost the visitor experience; £15,000 a year on social media marketing to further raise awareness of Burnham; £20,000 to co-ordinate the activities and projects; and £6,000 on admin costs.
Mr Sharman added: “This proposal has been developed in conjunction with Burnham businesses and represents the improvements they wish to see implemented to offset any negative impact created by the expansion of the Tesco supermarket.”
“Our proposal is akin to a Business Improvement District (BID) and will ring fence the funding to deliver a programme over three years with robust governance and accountability in place. It is our aim to seek match funding for activities where possible and to sustain the work of the project beyond the proposed period by developing a BID for Burnham.”
“There are concerns over the levels of communication with traders in drafting the town council’s proposal and it is felt that the input from affected traders and business organisations has been not of the standard expected when developing initiatives supposedly to safeguard their livelihoods.”
“While there are ample funding opportunities available for the infrastructure changes the council seeks, this is a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to secure the long term future of commerce in Burnham-On-Sea. Therefore, there is a responsibility upon us all to do what we can to ensure that these funds are used appropriately.”
Mr Sharman added: “We hope that our suggestions are given due consideration and that they can somehow be incorporated into the council’s plans to ensure that the businesses in Burnham receive the support they actually need, as opposed to missing out on this wonderful opportunity that Burnham has been given.”
A Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday (January 30th) that the alternative application has been formally received and has been passed to Burnham and Highbridge Town Council for further consideration shortly.
