Fresh calls have been made this week for the appointment of a new Burnham-On-Sea Town Centre Manager to offset the financial damage from Somerset’s flooding.
The creation of the new role, to promote the town centre, is among several improvements that are due to be funded by £440,000 of funding from Tesco to offset the impact of its recent store expansion in Burnham.
Burnham businesswoman Jenni Turco told town councillors at a meeting this week that “prompt action” is needed amid concern over the negative impact on trade that flooding on the Somerset Levels is having on the town, even though Burnham has been unaffected.
“The town has been suffering from the impact of the weather for months. We need the council to give the town centre some leadership, a fresh lick of paint and help attract more people here immediately,” she said.
“A full blown national advertising campaign is needed to promote Burnham, led by the Town Centre Manager. That role needs to be appointed now.”
But Cllr Michael Clarke said the recruitment is likely to take many months. “The job spec will be finalised over the next couple of months and the appointment process will start this summer in earnest,” he said.
Cllr Helen Groves added: “I think some very valid points have been raised – there is a pressing need now for the Town Centre Manager to be appointed. Maybe we need to look at this again and bring forward the appointment.”
But Cllr Neville Jones said there is “ample funding available” from the government to cover the effects of flooding. He added: “Thank God the flood waters stayed away from Burnham but the image of Sedgemoor has seen been damaged across the country.”
Mayor Martin Cox said he hopes funding can be secured for Burnham and it was decided to discuss the whole matter in more detail at a further meeting later in March when Burnham Chamber of Trade will also give its views. The Chamber also called on the council to speed up the recuitment earlier this year.
The proposed Town Centre Manager role is due to co-ordinate events and promote the town centre, working alongside the Chamber of Trade and councils.
£133,000 of the Tesco funding has been earmarked for the creation of the Town Centre Manager role and linked projects, as reported here.
