North Somerset Council Says Tropicana Campaign Group Has No Money and No plans

NORTH Somerset Council has met with a group campaigning to save the Tropicana and says it has "no money, no credible track record, no proposals and no plans."

 

The local authority met with Tropicana Group Ltd, a consortium of local people campaigning to save the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare, last week.

 

Their aim was to discuss their pleas to save the derelict structure from demolition.

 

But the council says it was not clear if the Group really is a limited company and whether it has any real intentions other than thwarting the demolition of the structure.

 

After three failed redevelopment schemes, the council agreed last year to demolish the 1930s structure and return it to sand.

The current building is not fit for redevelopment and by returning the site to sand, the council hopes to offer a blank canvas for any future development of the site.

 

But in a last minute bid to prevent this, Tropicana Group Ltd has apparently been established.

The group is said to be made up of local business people including Derek Mead, Geraldine Callen, Jon Harrap and Terry Gilbert.

The meeting was not attended by Pier owners Michelle or Kerry Michael who had previously been quoted as supporting the group.

 

Tony Lake, executive member with responsibility for buildings and amenities, said Tropicana Group Ltd seemed to have shrunk in size as some of the members had withdrawn.

In addition suggestions that Pier owner Kerry Michael was a member of the group appear to be incorrect.

 

He added: "We really need to clarify just who belongs to this group as it doesn't appear to be a registered company.

 

"Even more concerning is the fact that it has no money and appears to have no plans or proposals other than to criticise the council.

 

"What local residents need is someone prepared to invest now in providing an amenity for local residents not just another talking shop.

"Despite the involvement of a major local builder, this doesn't seem to be the group's aim.

 

"We are keen to hear any suggestions for the site but clearly these need to be well thought out and complemented by a robust business plan."