MINEHEAD’S Edwardian seafront shelters – a feature of the town for over a century – will be restored to their former glory thanks to a government grant of over £130,000
The money, from the government’s Coastal Community Fund, will go towards a £173,464 scheme to breathe new life into Minehead’s mile-long stretch of seafront and give the town an economic boost, it was announced on Wednesday.
Led by Minehead Coastal Communities team, the initiative aims to create new trading opportunities on the Esplanade, and includes a plans to convert one shelter into a trading post as a pilot project.
The team is aiming to encourage more seafront tourism attractions to help ensure visitors enjoy their time at the seaside, and a festival and harbour market are also in the pipeline.
A spokesman for the scheme said: “The initiatives will stretch the best part of a mile along the Esplanade, complementing and celebrating the best of the past and present – and looking to the future to help boost Minehead’s economy.”
Welcoming the news of a seafront facelift, local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said: “The shelters have been a feature of the seafront for over a century but sadly they have suffered in the last few years.
“Local people say the work is desperately needed to put right the damage caused by repeated vandalism.
“The higher sea wall and new promenade built 20 years ago have definitely made the seafront more attractive for both visitors and locals – and returning these traditional shelters to something close to their original condition will be the icing on the cake.”
Minehead is one of more than a dozen South West seaside towns involved in a £15 million government scheme to boost economic growth, create new jobs and attract tourists.
Announcing the grants, the minister for coastal communities Andrew Percy said: “We are putting the wind in the sails of over a dozen major projects along the South West coastline.”
The Minehead Coastal Community team includes representatives from Minehead Town Council, West Somerset Council, Minehead Chamber of Trade, Minehead Development Trust, Minehead Eye, Engage West Somerset, West Somerset Railway, and others.