Five companies show interest in taking over Burnham-On-Sea pool

Published: March 3, 2008
Five companies show interest in taking over Burnham-On-Sea pool

Five companies have so far expressed an interest in taking over Burnham-On-Sea's threatened swimming pool, it was announced on Monday evening (March 3rd).

Teresa Harvey, who is leading Sedgemoor District Council's 'Task and Finish Group' to find a new owner to take over the facility, told a meeting of town councillors that the council has a positive response from interested parties.

"Five companies have shown an interest in taking on the pool's 99-year lease," she told the meeting.

"Two of the firms are keen and ready to move forward, while the three others are new."

The news comes after Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last month that the pool's lease is currently being advertised. Sealed tenders are being accepted until March 17th and the offers will be considered by the district council on March 26th.

"I'm very positive we're going to have a good response," added Teresa Harvey.

Sedgemoor District Council, the pool's current owner, intends to shut the facility at the end of May unless a new owner can be found in a bid to reduce the council's £1.8m funding shortfall.

Earlier during Monday's meeting, Tom Ashton, Chairman of the Save Our Swimming pool (SOS) group, congratulated the town council for putting pressure on the district council to keep the pool open.

A huge campaign to save the threatened pool is underway by the SOS group which is backed by Burnham-On-Sea.com which is the home of the group's official website.