Tesco has this week confirmed that the multi-milion expansion of its Burnham-On-Sea store is finally set to begin, with the new-look store opening before Christmas and delivering a major financial boost to the town.
The supermarket giant told Burnham-On-Sea.com that long-awaited construction work at its store in Ben Travers Way will begin shortly.
Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager Emma Heesom told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Early site surveys and preparation has commenced at the store. We are hoping to open the extended store by Christmas.”
Once the work starts, Tesco will also give more than £300,000 towards the regeneration of Burnham town centre as part of a so-called ‘RLT2 agreement’ struck with Sedgemoor District Council at the time the firm’s planning application was granted.
The expansion proposals – which were approved by Sedgemoor District Council three years ago – will lead to an extra 1,200 square metres of shopping space being created, leading to new jobs. There will also be additional parking.
The new-look store is expected to include a new chemist plus extended product lines, to include clothing and an enhanced food line-up, to help it compete against Asda, Morrisons, the Co-Operative and Lidl which all operate in Burnham and Highbridge already.
The £300,000 ‘community gain’ was agreed between Sedgemoor and Tesco at the time that the planning application was approved to help compensate local traders for any potential lost trade.
