OVER 100 members of businesses and firms that have joined the newly-formed Minehead Improvement District (BID) organisation have been told by a marketing and management expert that they were the best group she has ever worked with.

They were attending a gala dinner, hosted by Butlin’s, to celebrate the launch of the organisation.

Minehead BID chairman Graham Sizer made special mention of Lucy Ball, of Destination Management and Marketing, who co-ordinated the creation of the Minehead BID.

“She has lived and breathed the town for two years and we couldn’t have done it without her,” he said

In reply, Mrs Ball said: “Over the years, I have been involved in a dozen previous BID launches but this has been the most rewarding and the best group I have ever worked with.

“I have been so impressed by how dedicated people have been to get things done.”

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a cheque for £7,123 – the assets of the recently-disbanded Minehead Events Group (MEG) which has handed over the holiday attractions programme to the new business group.

District councillor Richard Lillis, a founder member of MEG, said: “After six years, it seemed sensible to bring in some new blood and BID was our logical successor.

“We are happy to pass on the mantle to make the town more progressive and attractive in the future.”He said MEG owed Butlin’s a huge vote of thanks: “We couldn’t have put on a lot of the events, including the Red Arrows, without their help.”

The new BID board of voluntary directors, introduced to guests at the event, were: Chris Corbett (Hairy Dog and Stones), Debbie Sawatzki (Lovely Boutique), Naomi Waters (AppleTree Tea Rooms), Ryan Boulton (Card Factory), Jim Whittaker (Channel Adventure), Jon Lee (Stuarts Home Furnishers), Andrew Hadley (Chambers, and district council representative) and Mark Hill (West Somerset Railway).

Full report of the BID launch in this week’s Free Press (October 26).