A VICTORIAN seafront hotel in Minehead could be heading for a new chapter in its history as the focus for a £1 million Government investment to help young people.

The Beach Hotel, which has been closed for business since late last year, could provide vital 'move-on' accommodation for local 18 to 25-year-olds in training, education or employment.

But vitally, the proposal would also see the Beach retained as a fully trading hotel.

The Somerset Coast branch of the YMCA is behind the scheme and its chief executive Martin Hodgson told the Free Press yesterday (Thursday) that the organisation's offer to buy the Beach had been accepted.

The bulk of the funding would come from a £1 million grant from the Government's Homes and Communities Agency.

The YMCA, which has been in talks with West Somerset Council and West Somerset Community College since being awarded the contract to deliver support for young people and prevent homelessness across the district, is hoping to secure a further £350,000 from other sources to bring the project to fruition.

Mr Hodgson said the plans would see the Beach turned into a facility with 20 letting rooms and 36 flexible units of other accommodation.

"There is likely to be around eight flats of 'move-on' accommodation," he said.

"The important thing to stress is that this is not going to be a hostel and we don't want people thinking that there are going to be hoards of young people in Minehead.

"This is going to be a social enterprise model, rather like the concept that chef Jamie Oliver has with his 15 restaurant."

Mr Hodgson said the accommodation would not be for young people on benefits but aimed at those who were "engaged" in either jobs, training or education.

Whilst living at the Beach, the young tenants would receive pastoral support for which the YMCA is renowned.

"It will be a self-sustaining model," said Mr Hodgson.

"The £1 million grant and the further £350,00 that we hope to attract will secure the sale of the hotel and fund the work needed to turn it into what is needed."

The scheme will create five jobs initially and a range of apprenticeships and training opportunities, with the first phase

concentrating on providing the accommodation for young people before focusing on getting the hotel up and running.

"There is a real need for this type of accommodation in West Somerset and we are really excited about the prospect of being able to provide it," said Mr Hodgson.

"There are still a fair few bridges to cross and we have yet to actually sign the deal to buy the hotel but things are looking very encouraging and we are very hopeful."

Mr Hodgson said he planned to meet local people and organisations in the coming months to explain the details of the scheme and allay any fears they might have.