Discount retailer B&M has said this week it has no firm date to open its new store to replace Burnham-On-Sea’s Morrisons supermarket.
The discount retailer is set take over the Pier Street site and employ around 50 staff.
A B&M spokeswoman told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “There’s no further update on the opening of the store – there’s no date to give just yet.”
Rumours circulating in Burnham suggest that B&M may not have yet formally signed a deal to take over the store, but the firm’s spokeswoman said she is not aware of ongoing negotiations.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of B&M’s store on the town’s High Street by Burnham’s MP, Mayor, Chamber of Trade and Town Centre Manager, as we reported here.
However, B&M says: “We are feeling really positive about the creation of more than 50 new jobs for local people and will be inviting colleagues who worked at the former store to interview for these posts, as well as opening them up the wider community.”
Responding to traders’ concerns about the wide range of products it sells, B&M added: “We offer a broad range of products across many commodity groups which enables us to trade in all seasons. This helps us to attract significant footfall all year round, attracting new and existing customers to the town centre. In the main this will be of huge benefit to the local traders and vitality.”
Also see:
Reaction to B&M’s decision to take over Burnham’s Morrisons store
Confirmed – Discount store B&M takes over Burnham Morrisons site
Businesses in Burnham-On-Sea discuss future of former Morrisons site
Video: Mayor thanks staff at Burnham’s Morrisons store as it shuts
Council ‘confident’ that Burnham Morrisons store won’t be empty long
Burnham’s MP meets campaigners battling to save Morrisons store
Burnham Morrisons staff told store will shut at the end of November
Protest held over Burnham Morrisons closure at council debate
Morrisons to close its Burnham-On-Sea store
