MINEHEAD is to get its FOURTH supermarket – but hopes of a town swimming pool have been left on the shelf.

Discount retailer, Lidl, has been given the go ahead for a new store on the site of the former Aquasplash pool which closed in 2008.

The Seaward Way complex which will have space for one hundred cars, will provide around 32 new full and part-time jobs.

The new store has been largely welcomed but there was also dismay that Minehead is no closer to getting its own swimming pool.

There are also fears over the effect another supermarket will have on shopping in The Avenue.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset said: “The arrival of Lidl is good news but the campaign for a pool in Minehead must continue.

“I know many people want to see a pool in the town but the problem is financing it. They spent over £5m building one in Bridgwater and that is a huge amount for West Somerset.


“However, We must continue to campaign for a Minehead pool and I will continue to look at every possible avenue.”


Peter Wellstood, a retired engineer from Porlock who has been leading a campaign for a community run pool, insisted: “It will happen. I know I can get finance of around £2m to build a pool if the council gave the land.


“I cannot say at the moment where that money will come from but there is a piece of land on Seaward Way which would be ideal. The longer it is delayed, the more likely potential investors could lose interest.


“On the one hand, you have to ask if we need another supermarket, but on the other, a discount one like Lidl is needed because there isn’t a lot of money in the area. "A swimming pool would help generate tourism and show Minehead is more than just shops.”


Alex de Mendoza, chairman of Minehead Chamber of Commerce added: “There are pros and cons about Lidl opening. Many people here are struggling financially so it should do well. Any saving is a saving.


“I hope the new store will lead to an increase in footfall to the town centre. Like many towns around the country, the High Street is the big concern. It has got to re-invent itself and that is the challenge many communities face.”