MINEHEAD seafront could get an ambitious £500,000 upgrade, it has been revealed.

Plans to refurbish facilities along the seafront, add new attractions, support seafront businesses and promote the town more have all been revealed in a bid to improve the town’s tourism offering.

Corrine Matthews and Andrew Goodchild, from West Somerset Council’s economic development team, gave a presentation at Minehead Town Council on Tuesday night outlining plans for the Coastal Communities Team (CCT) ‘Enterprising Minehead’ project.

The CCT is lining up an application for Hinkley Community Impact Mitigation funding which they hope will transform the seafront.

Mrs Matthews said: “There will be 6,500 Hinkley construction workers who will be based around this area, with a number here using the park and ride being developed at Washford Cross.

“We are putting together a scheme that will make the Esplanade more attractive, and this includes ideas such as splash pads, interactive activities, employing a seafront lengthsman to keep the area tidy and functional, and to generally try and make the seafront more cohesive.”

Mrs Matthews said it was important to try and support local businesses, and the CCT wants to work to promote Minehead as a brand, making potential tourists aware of what is on offer.

“We want Minehead to be a Centre of Excellence for tourism, we already have some fantastic facilities such as The Beach Hotel, Foxes Academy and at the West Somerset College,” she said.

The plans being considered include refurbishing the seafront shelters and seating, putting in new plants and increasing seafront lighting.

Mrs Matthews said the full bid has to be submitted by March 1, and the CCT is initially hoping to be successful in landing £500,000 to support the project.

She said the plan had been drawn up in accordance with the town council’s Economic Plan.

Minehead Town Council voted to back the proposed bid and agreed to be the named applicant for the bid.