THE campaign to stop Morrisons closing this autumn was stepped up a gear at this week’s town council meeting held in Burnham at the Old Court House.

A group of more than a dozen campaigners held ‘Save our Store’ banners and warmly applauded those who spoke in favour of saving the store in the public speaking section of the meeting on Monday, October 5.

The protesters included workers at Morrisons, which employed around 100 people, as well as those concerned about what impact the closure will have on the residents and the business community. 

Their worries were echoed by the town councillors who were equally frustrated at the news the supermarket was to shut.

Morrisons says it does not see a way it can make the store, which is one of 12 set to close, viable.

Mayor, Cllr Michael Clarke, said: “I am sure I speak for all members around this table when I say we understand and appreciate the concerns over Morrisons. 

“The problem is that Morrisons is not talking to the district council or ourselves. We are all concerned. Rest assured we will do whatever we can.”

Cllr Martin Cox said: “We are all very concerned about the closure. We are rather shocked as Morrisons has become part of the centre of our town, and they seem rather busy all year round. 

“Personally I’m surprised that they find it uneconomic. They have 11 years to run on their lease and it’s nothing to do with us that they are closing but I know they are going through some reorganisation. But I would like to support the campaign that is going on and I would like us to write to the economic development team at Sedgemoor District Council, asking them to put forward our voice from the council. 

“Morrisons is a very intricate part of the town and we would like them to reconsider their decision and if they’re unable to do that, then can they make sure that it is refilled as soon as possible.”

A suggestion was made that the town centre manager should contact the leaseholder of the site to negotiate the level of rent but this was not possible, said the clerk, as it was not in the remit of the manager.

Sedgemoor have an interest in the site as they own the car park but the retail part is owned by a separate commercial landlord. 

Previously SDC has told the Weekly News they were very concerned about the site being left vacant as they fear takings in the car park would fall.

The campaigners said they had collected a petition of 2,400 signatures demanding that the decision to close the store is reversed.

Petition organiser Gaynor Brown said: “The staff have been told that the store is uneconomic because of the huge hike in rent demanded by the holding company. 

“Over 100 people are about to become redundant and they are at least entitled to the truth and to know that someone has tried to find out whether that holding company are totally out of touch with the reality of the current retail market or whether they are just plain greedy and don’t give a damn.”

Fellow resident, Lyn Salvidge, pleaded with the town council to put pressure on SDC, who have an interest in the site's car park, to make Morrisons change their mind. 

With the supermarket closed she said many people living in the town centre without transport would only have Lidl for their shopping as there were no greengrocers or butchers in town.

A Morrisons’ spokesman said: “We have looked extremely carefully at whether our store in Burnham-on-Sea can be turned around but unfortunately we cannot see a way of making it viable. We are therefore proposing its closure. We are consulting with colleagues and unions and we will be discussing how to reduce redundancies and redeploy colleagues around our business.”

Sedgemoor District Council said in a statement: "(SDC) remains disappointed that Morrison’s in Burnham-on-Sea has been selected for closure.

"The council’s Economic Development Team has been working with Burnham’s town centre manager and Morrisons to understand the current situation and to ascertain future plans.

"The site is not owned by Sedgemoor District Council. Sedgemoor sold the site of the store building to Gateway in 1990.

"SDC is confident that the site, in its prime location, will not be vacant for too long. We expect further news towards the end of October."