No money, no credible track record, no proposals and no
plans is the message received by North Somerset Council at its
meeting with a consortium of local people campaigning to save the
Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare.
Officers from the council met with a group of people calling
themselves Tropicana Group Ltd on Friday to discuss their pleas to
save the derelict structure from demolition.
But 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, North Somerset Council
has agreed 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.
Cllr 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shrunk in size as some of the members had withdrawn.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."
