MINEHEAD’S seafront could soon have a major new family-friendly attraction if a £500,000 grant application to Hinkley C’s Impact Mitigation Fund is successful.

At their meeting on Tuesday night, town councillors unanimously agreed to submit an application before the March 1 deadline.

The bid is based on an ambitious project entitled “Enterprising Minehead”, produced by the Minehead’s Coastal Community Team as part of its economic plan.

The team has summed up its vision for the town’s future with the catchphrase “Better Place, Better Experience, Better Prospects”.

To improve the town’s economic growth, the scheme aims to boost tourism by improving the Esplanade’s infrastructure and attractiveness.

“Tourism is the key criteria and good infrastructure on the seafront will be the main focus of the application,” Corinne Matthews, West Somerset Council’s regeneration manager, told the meeting.

In a joint presentation with Andrew Goodchild, assistant director for energy infrastructure, Ms Matthews said businesses needed to be supported more and she also emphasised the importance of training facilities, especially in the fields of hospitality and tourism.

Full report in the Free Press (Jan 20)