A STEERING group could be set up before Christmas to look at ways to ‘modernise and improve’ the visitor experience in Minehead.

Town councillors were being recommended to consider supporting Minehead and Coast Development Trust (MCDT) in forming the group and designate two representatives to serve on it.

Councillors earlier this year made a £4,000 grant to MCDT following the closure of its visitor information service in the town’s Beach Hotel and its online facility.

MCTD said it was working on a reimagined, sustainable visitor information service for the town.

It wants to develop a practical and modernised tourism framework which maintains a Minehead-focused approach while building strategic regional links, such as with the King Charles III Coast Path.

The steering group will aim to ensure collaborative delivery across a variety of platforms to improve Minehead’s visibility as a visitor destination.

It is looking at partnering also with Butlin’s holiday resort, Minehead Business Association, the town’s Regal Theatre, and Somerset councillors.

Town clerk Ben Parker told councillors: “MCDT is actively developing a strategic vision for the delivery and development of information services in Minehead.

“A collaborative approach is central to this vision, aiming to enhance both digital and sustainable in-person visitor experiences.”

Mr Parker said an administrative support staff member with a marketing background had been recruited to work part-time for MCTD which had enabled a review and tidy-up of the Visit Minehead website and was helping with shaping the direction of promotional efforts.

He said significant outdated website content had been removed and the site was now better positioned to support future marketing and visitor engagement efforts.

MCDT would soon begin to re-establish a consistent and active social media presence, aiming to better connect with audiences, promote local events and businesses, and enhance the town’s visibility online.

An update of the Visit Minehead guide in partnership with Somerset Tourism was also being considered to make it more generic and reduce the need for annual updates and reprints.

Mr Parker said MCTD wanted to establish the steering group before Christmas, and planned to hold a first meeting in early January.

He said discussions had included exploring a potential volunteer ‘time banking’ initiative in collaboration with the Time Bank West Somerset Time project.

Similar schemes had demonstrated success in other areas and could recognise and reward volunteers, support the in-person delivery of destination services, and strengthen community engagement in tourism efforts.

The time bank, which was first established in Alcombe more than 15 years ago, sees people swap their time and skills for the time and abilities of others.

Minehead Visitor Centre, which was housed by the Dulverton YMCA-run sea front Beach Hotel, closed suddenly in February this year after more than 12 years of operation.

It said the closure came about because of a reduction in funding at a time when visitor footfall was also falling.

More people than ever were now looking online for information about visiting Minehead, where to stay, and what to do during their visit.