A BID to open a community-owned swimming pool in Minehead has secured a £6,000 funding boost.

Minehead Swimming and Leisure (MSL) has been award £6,000 from The Reach Fund as it looks to become ‘investment ready’.

MSL is a community benefit society, a co-operative formed to create and develop a heated, indoor swimming pool in the town, after the closure of the former pool in 2006.

The group launched public membership in August last year, and has now been awarded The Reach Fund money to undertake business planning and analysis.

So far, no location has been identified for the proposed pool, although the group says it is investigating a number of possible sites.

Meanwhile, MSL said the award will enable work to launch a Pioneer Share Offer later in 2025.

Secretary, Cath Brown, said: “MSL are successfully moving in the right direction; with the Reach Fund granting us funding it will help with publicity, business planning and lots of other things, this has been a great boost to MSL, after the last year of diligence and hard work.

“Thanks also to our partner South West Co-op Development and MSL members for their continuous support in this venture. Onward and upward for a sustainable pool for Minehead and West Somerset.”

People can become members of the project by buying shares, for £1, which gives them a vote in how the scheme moves forward.

“As a member and a shareholder, you are then entitled to vote in future decision making and join our meetings to make sure your voice is heard in your project – by West Somerset residents for West Somerset residents,” a spokesperson said.

For more information on the scheme, log on to www.mineheadswim.org.