MINEHEAD'S major retailers and independent businesses have taken the first steps in a groundbreaking initiative designed to build a more vibrant town centre by filling empty shops and creating new jobs. Members of Minehead Chamber of Trade, local shop owners, Minehead vision manager Stephen Hooper and representatives from big company names have joined forces to make Minehead a better place to live, work and visit. Minehead was one of just 29 towns across the country to be chosen to take part in the Business in the Community (BITC) scheme. The campaign, involving Boots UK, the Co-Operative Group, Marks and Spencer and Santander, is focused on towns which demonstrate a need for the support and have potential for growth. Graham Sizer, Minehead Chamber of Trade chairman, said he hoped people would soon start to see some real changes on the high street. He said Minehead was one of the smallest towns to be selected for the scheme but the bid for support - which was put together by Minehead Vision Group - had showed the town had real potential to help itself. He added: "BITC is a national set-up enabling the expertise of the big players in a town to be shared with the many independents that still create the vibrancy in our streets. "It is about rebuilding the old traditional links to chambers of commerce and community leaders that they used to have. "For too long the big names and their managers have sat behind polished desks and lost interest in what is beyond their cash tills. "There used to be a slush fund given to managers and they were encouraged to lead projects through the chamber. "That money dried up 15 years ago, so did the Christmas lights and flower baskets outside their premises. "Too much was left to the independent local entrepreneurs but all this is about to change." A few of the big names have already rejoined the chamber, while Barclays Bank has taken a lead. Bank staff from the Minehead branch helped to count car park takings during this week's summer festival and plans are afoot to offer more help to small starter businesses in the area. Branch manager Kelly Kirk said she had been in contact with the chamber before the successful BITC bid was made. She said: "Barclays were trying to rebuild their image and we have perhaps not been very proactive in sending out the right message. "This has now changed. People will now start seeing pop-up shops in our bank, helping starter businesses get established. "They will also see us getting involved with events like the Red Arrows, helping out in the background. "We also have our own staff community champions willing to listen and help, so, yes, we are very much part of the BITC initiative." The key members of the BITC scheme held their inaugural meeting last week and discussed how to offer tangible help through community volunteering, business advice and mentoring. Ultimately, the aim is to help Minehead increase visitor and shopper footfall, up the occupation of vacant properties and create more jobs. Minehead Vision Group - a partnership of key organisations including Minehead Town Council, Minehead Chamber of Trade, Minehead Development Trust, the Regal Theatre and the voluntary and community sector - had just five days to turn around a bid to BITC. As a result of the successful bid, Minehead will receive a bespoke package of support tailored to the exact needs of its main shopping centre. Mark Costello from Santander said: "This is an initiative I am delighted to be involved with. "Having lived in Minehead my whole life and working up to the position I am in now it's great to be able to work with the chamber and the community for the benefit of the town." And Minehead Mayor Cllr Les Smith said: "The town council already does its best to keep the main streets attractive with floral decorations. "With this new initiative involving some large players it will hopefully give an impetus to further improvement in the town."