A new group of volunteers has been formed to start a new project to make Burnham-On-Sea the first coastal town in the south west to gain ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ accreditation – and boost its visitor numbers.
At a public meeting in Burnham’s Princess Theatre this week, a number of interested tourism businesses, organisations and residents agreed that it would benefit the community to be recognised for encouraging walkers to the town and surrounding area.
The new group will adopt a formal constitution and seek funding to prepare several walking guides, which will then be promoted across the UK to attract visitors.
The new group agreed to set up a steering committee whose first task will be to demonstrate wider support for the idea by gaining signatures from supporters in the area. It will also work with local businesses such as accommodation providers and cafes on what can be provided specifically with walkers in mind.
More than 100 locations in the UK are already members of the scheme, including several in Somerset, where the financial benefits have been felt.
The latest destination to be included is Cheddar. The benefit of accreditation is that it encourages more people to spend time and money in places that have it.
“We have been reassured by the attendance at the meeting and the messages we received that people will help us put Burnham on the map as somewhere with something special to offer walkers,” said a spokesperson for Burnham Chamber of Trade, which is one of the groups leading on the project.
