Businesses in Burnham-On-Sea are proving resilient to the recession despite continuing difficult trading conditions, the town’s MP said this week after a special visit to the town centre.
David Heathcoat-Amory called in at several businesses to assess how Burnham is faring during the recession.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Many businesses in Burnham are optimistic about the future, but are continuing to suffer from the current lack of spending.”
“This year’s tourist season was a difficult one for the town since many of those shoppers and visitors had less money to spend.”
“A fairly poor summer of weather at the height of the tourist season also did not help.”
“But the overall impression I got during my walkabout was that Burnham is a resilient town. Traders are not simply sitting back and suffering.”
“They are adjusting their spending and changing with the times.”
The MP added: “It was good to hear about new businesses opening. I was pleased to call in at the BOS Cafe, which has only recently opened and is already doing well. I am keen to see new ventures like this succeed.”
Among the firms he visited was the Pavilion on Burnham’s Esplanade, which he said had seen a “mixed season.”
He also spoke with several shoppers in the town centre about the impact the recession is having on them.
Burnham-On-Sea.com recently reported that the town’s tourism businesses had enjoyed a welcome boost during the final Bank Holiday weekend of the year – but trade for the whole summer season had been flat.
Pictured are MP David Heathcoat-Amory with town councillor Arthur Thorogood during the visit to the town centre, where they met traders including BOS Cafe’s Tanya Russell and The Pavilion’s Francis Parkin
