Burnham-On-Sea’s bid for a share of a £1million cash injection to improve the town centre was given a boost on Monday night (March 5th) when the town council gave its backing to the proposal.
The council is supporting Burnham Chamber of Trade’s application for cash from a government scheme overseen by TV personality and retail guru Mary Portas, pictured.
Three town councillors – Helen Groves, Kate Lawson and Pauline Pollard – will be working with the Chamber on compiling the bid before the end of March deadline.
Alex Turco, speaking on behalf of Burnham Chamber of Trade at Monday’s meeting, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are happy to have the backing of the town council but still need more businesses, landlords and representatives of groups to come forward to join the team town which we are setting up.”
The team is to comprise traders, shoppers, landlords, local authorities, residents and community groups – and more volunteers are urgently needed to come forward and show their support.
Burnham is up against scores of other towns across the country – including Chard, Wellington, Taunton and Wincanton in Somerset – all 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.
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.
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 9th.
