Published: December 3, 2008
Future of Burnham's Princess Hall brighter as new 'steering group' is created

The future of Burnham-On-Sea's Princess Hall could be brighter following the creation of a new steering group at a meeting on Wednesday (December 3rd).

The loss-making Princess, pictured here, was discussed by Sedgemoor District Council's Executive committee in Bridgwater.

Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com after the meeting: "Within the current financial climate and the lack of tangible funding from other bodies, it was felt that the proposed Cultural Quarter proposals in Burnham-On-Sea were unlikely to materialise in the near future. It is estimated that these would cost in the region on £5-8million."

"With this in mind, Sedgemoor District Council, the owners of the building, has set up a steering group comprising of representatives of the District, Town and County Councils, Burnham and Highbridge Regeneration Partnership, and the Princess Hall user groups and Burnham Chamber of Trade. This group will look at ways in which the Princess could operate in the future."

Cllr Chris Williams spoke on behalf of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council at the meeting and the council offered up to £15,000 funding towards the possible post of a Princess/Town Centre Manager who would improve the usage and financial performance of Princess Hall by drawing in additional funding and active promotion.

"This could be achieved though a ‘Friends of the Princess’ group, made up of the current Steering Group plus additional members, which would work to promote the hall, reduce the financial deficit and enable transfer of the hall to a community-based organisation if this council wished it by March 2010. The Steering Group consider this is the prudent option in the current financial climate."

Sedgemoor District Council has been responsible for the Princess Hall since
taking over the building from the Town Council in the mid 1990’s. Many town councillors, along with residents, are keen to see its future safeguarded.