A BID to transform Minehead seafront faces a key milestone this week as West Somerset Council’s Cabinet debates whether to release £501,688 of funding toward the project.

The Enterprising Minehead project aims to improve the look of the seafront and develop, install and promote new attractions to improve the offer for tourists.

This includes work to enable more major events to be held along the seafront and provide new opportunities and concessions for businesses.

The project, which will cost a total of £982,609, is seeking just over half of this money to come from the EDF Community Impact Mitigation (CIM) fund, which is administered by West Somerset Council.

The project also seeks to ‘establish Minehead as a centre of excellence for training in the hospitality and tourism industry’ and to do this, it is a proposed a new Hospitality and Tourism Academy is set up.

Money will also be used to partly fund a ‘lengthsman’ for the seafront, who will ensure the seafront looks spick and span, is well-maintained and free from litter.

“The Enterprising Minehead project also aims to develop a Business Improvement District in Minehead, this will help provide long term sustainability for businesses and fund improvements for businesses,” a spokesman for the plan said.

The final part of the project is to develop a ‘coherent approach to marketing’ for Minehead. Ideas include promoting events, increasing online presence creating a heritage trail, more guided walks and a harbour market. 

Some funding would also be provided for a part-time project officer for three years.

The application has been recommended for approval by CIM Fund manager Lisa Redston, who said: “The regeneration of the seafront offers a physical legacy for Minehead that will last the life of the Hinkley Point C development and ensure the town can benefit from increasing visitor numbers.

“The four different elements ensure that benefits, improvements to quality of life and opportunities are felt across a wide range of the people within the community.”

The application will be discussed by West Somerset Council’s Cabinet on Friday at 2.30pm. The Cabinet's recommendation then goes to Full Council before the final decision is made.