MINEHEAD’S team of town ambassadors, street entertainers and a steam bus have brightened the holiday experience of hundreds of visitors this summer, business leaders said this week.

Operating in teams of two, the ambassadors have worked the streets every weekend during August under the direction of the Minehead Information Centre.

They pass on information about Minehead’s attractions, answer questions about the town, its heritage and its amenities, and are on hand to help solve any problems.

The scheme has been funded by the Minehead BID consortium of local businesses, whose manager, Andrew Hopkins, said: “Particularly for first-time visitors to Minehead, it has offered a really valuable service.”

Covid-19 put paid to much of the summer entertainment programme that had been put together by the BID team

But as visitors started to appear in the weeks following the easing of lockdown restrictions, funding was found for tourist attractions including entertainer Damian Patton with Oscar the Orang-utan and the steam bus service, which ran from the railway station along the seafront to the harbour and town centre.

Mr Hopkins said: “Many visitors have loved seeing Damian and Oscar and the steam bus and have found the ambassadors a great help to finding their way around Minehead and discovering what it has to offer,” he said.

Minehead Information Centre manager Sally Turner said the ambassador initiative had exceeded all expectations. 

“They thoroughly enjoyed interacting with visitors as well as locals and really did play an invaluable role in handing out free maps and offering advice on where to go and what to do in and around Minehead,” she said. 

Shaun “Woody” Robins, who operated the steam bus, said: “Working with Minehead BID during this year has been a pleasure. None of us expected anything to take place for the 2020 season, but a little quick thinking allowed Minehead to open for business in ways we could never have imagined with less than ten days’ planning!”

Damian Patton added: “I had a fabulous time in and around Minehead, meeting local businesses and entertaining people in a safe socially distanced way. It really was a fantastic summer, bringing smiles to all who came. I hope to see everyone again next year.”