MINEHEAD Chamber of Trade chairman Graham Sizer resigned this week, citing "opposing forces" on the local economic landscape for his surprise decision.

Mr Sizer said he was finding it impossible to support ideas to invigorate business growth as a member of West Somerset Council's economic taskforce with the prospect of a new Morrisons supermarket being built on the edge of the town.

"I can see, through another supermarket, £10 million a year being sucked out of the area and away from current traditional businesses, thereby putting them under threat," said Mr Sizer.

"I may be wrong - it is not everyone's view and time will tell. But I cannot align myself to what seem to be two opposing forces."

Mr Sizer, who is stepping down from the task force and his involvement with a range of other initiatives, said he had decided to "slip into the background" until the local economic landscape had been sorted out.

He and a number of other traders are known to accept that the district council - which owns the Vulcan Road car park on which the new store will be built if approval is granted by the authority's planning committee - has gone for the 'least worst' option by choosing just a medium sized supermarket for the site.

And Mr Sizer said he was also aware that the cash-strapped council desperately needed the money from the sale of the land - expected to be at least £7 million.

"I do agree with many people that Minehead's existing Tesco seems to have lost its way and this has alienated many residents.

"I also realise that the district council is in dire straits, in that it needs to sell Vulcan Road to stay solvent.

"The chamber has commissioned an impact study, Morrisons has done the same and the council has commissioned its own independent assessors.

"All this information will be analysed by the council and the council needs space.

"It has had to make some difficult decisions in the past - this will be another."

Mr Sizer said he needed to get back to running his own business - Minehead Radio - which, like many others, was having to weather the current recession.

He said he would continue to be a member of the chamber and was keen, if possible, to continue to represent the organisation on a steering group leading the possible redevelopment of Minehead Hospital.

Mr Sizer is widely accepted as having been the driving force behind a string of chamber-led initiatives, including the production of an innovative shoppers' guide for the town.

"I have given the chamber five years and I have made good friends through it," he said.

"I have also made many new friends at the council on the various committees I have been asked to join.

"I leave the helm knowing the membership of the chamber is strong and its finances sound.

"It will, I am sure, want to continue to be involved with the Christmas lights switch-on and representatives will also be found to replace me on other groups.

"I will remain very much focused on the town."