Over 50 new jobs are set to be created when a new B&M store opens in place of Burnham-On-Sea’s Morrisons supermarket.
The discount retailer, which is set take over the Pier Street store shortly, says it hopes to employ some of those who previously worked at the former Morrisons store.
A B&M spokesperson said: “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 to the wider community.”
Responding to traders’ concerns about the wide range of products it sells, the B&M spokesman 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.”
Concerns have been raised about the opening of the store by Burnham’s MP, Mayor, Chamber of Trade and Town Centre Manager – as reported here.
One of the traders who is concerned about the store is Colin Morris at GW Hurleys in the High Street, who says: “This was a commercial decision by Morrisons. They obviously wanted to get rid of the lease so there’s been nothing we can do about it as retailers.”
“It’s just a shame that it’s this particular type of store – it’s not going to bring people in, it will just kill off bits of the town.”
“B&M is a well known name in the Midlands, but not here. We are small individual shops and we just can’t the discounts and quantities to compete. It’s not that it’s not fair – we would all go into big business if we could, but we are stuck fighting the big boys.”
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
