Despite a confident announcement by retail giant B&M that they were taking over the old Morrisons building in Burnham’s Pier Street, the Weekly News understands through its sources that it may not happen.

Although shrouded in secrecy the negotiations are thought to be stuck over the issue of the car park owned by Sedgemoor District Council.

Initially the Chamber of Commerce appeared alarmed by the fears the discount store posed to the shops in the High Street that sell similar goods. However after the announcement the store was coming to the town they said they would work with B&M.

Residents have shown a mixed reaction with many welcoming the store with its mix of food, drink, clothing, hardware, toys, household goods and garden items, although others lament the absence of a super market or a seven-eleven style shop.

Gaynor Brown, the woman behind a campaign to save the town losing Morrisons raising thousands of signatures said gave a cautious welcome to B&M but warned it could lead to job losses elsewhere. In a letter to the Weekly News she said: “Despite the news B&M is moving in it is still a real problem for the town with local residents against the deal and wanting a food store. We welcome the jobs and any footfall created must help, but we will lose as many jobs in the town as it will create on the site. It's also a major retailer so the revenue for the store will go out of the town."

She like several residents who have spoken to the Weekly News felt that Morrisons behaved badly closing before Christmas and making workers unemployed. Residents of the town have told this newspaper that many of the former supermarket workers are still out of work while others received only short or unsuitable contracts.

B&M have told the Weekly News they will keep the media updated with news but in the meantime doubt hangs over the possible arrival of the retail giant and fill a hole in Burnham’s retail offering.

Do you welcome B&M to the town or would you prefer a supermarket instead? Email your views to harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk