Colourful bunting looks set to return to Burnham-On-Sea town centre this year after councillors this week gave their backing to plans to brighten up the High Street.
Bunting was last hung during the summer months across the town centre four years ago using funding from the ‘Tesco 106’ project, but it was removed before the carnival procession that year due to the risk of damage and it did not return.
On Monday evening (January 21st), Burnham and Highbridge town councillors on the Town Projects Committee gave their backing to the creation of a new working party to engage with businesses about the plans to introduce bunting for the new tourist season.
In a report to councillors, Council Clerk Tatiana Cant said: “It would be good to reinstate bunting to make the town centre more vibrant, attractive and welcoming during the summer months.”
Cllr Nick Tolley said: “The problem we had a few years ago was that the winds twisted the bunting around and left it in a mess. In a windy seaside town, that is always going to be a problem.”
“I would like to see it hung across the street, not just parallel with the buildings, but we are aware that the County Council has height and width restrictions for safety. I do feel the bunting looks best when it runs across the High Street.”
Mayor Cllr Bill Hancock agreed, adding: “It always looks great across the street when you’re walking or driving through.”
Cllr Peter Clayton: “Bunting does look very nice. We need the support of shops and businesses along the High Street.”
The Town Projects Committee members agreed to set up a working party, with the support of Burnham Chamber of Trade, to contact businesses to assess their backing for the project and decide how much bunting is needed. Burnham-On-Sea.com
A local craft shop had made a sample of bunting from used flags from the Tesco Project and 300 metres of bunting will cost around £150 with installation costs on top.
It’s been proposed that the flags and fabric from a local craft shop for the bunting, which would mean plastic would not be used, in line with the council’s plastic-free initiative.
Councillors are considering whether the bunting could be strung between hanging basket columns along the High Street or across streets. A final decision is set to be made over the next few months, before the new tourist season.
