Business leaders in Burnham-On-Sea have this week issued a rallying call for support in a bid to secure a share of a £1million cash injection to boost the town centre.
Burnham Chamber of Trade is considering competing for funding from a government scheme spearheaded by TV personality Mary Portas, who is known as the ‘queen of shops’.
They will be up against scores of other towns across the country who are bidding for the chance to resuscitate their faltering high streets.
The pot is to be shared out between 12 towns and successful bids can receive up to £100,000 plus the benefit of expertise.
A town team is to be formed representing traders, shoppers, landlords, local authorities, residents and community groups – and volunteers are urgently needed to come forward and show their support.
Chamber of Trade Chairman Rhonda Mills told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We will do whatever it takes to make sure our town centre is fit for the future and would very much welcome the financial backing.”
“We want to work with local groups and businesses on a joint approach to further improve our town centre and attract more visitors.”
The fund, made up of government cash, is one of a series of ideas put forward by Mary Portas in an effort to halt the decline of British high streets across the UK as shoppers head to out-of-town superstores and shop online.
“To be successful, we need the support of a wide cross-section of traders, groups and shoppers in the town, so we need letters of interest,” added Rhonda.
Those interested in joining the town team should contact the Chamber of Trade by sending a letter to Sea Breeze Art Gallery at 37 Victoria Street, Burnham or by emailing the chamber’s secretary, Jonathan Walter, here before March 6th.
We reported here last year that Burnham-On-Sea’s Chamber Of Trade had given its support to Mary Portas’ nationwide campaign to raise the profile of high street when she outlined almost 30 proposals to give town centres across the UK a much-needed boost during the economic downturn.
