18/06/25: Breckland's market towns invited to apply for grants to attract more visitors

Projects that are aimed at increasing sales and footfall in market towns will be able to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 through an initiative being rolled out across the whole of Norfolk.

Organisations and businesses are being invited to apply for the Love Your Market Town fund's Pride of Place grants to fund ideas designed to encourage people to visit and shop in their local towns more frequently. The scheme is supported by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Breckland Council, and applicants have until 31 August to submit their ideas.

A diverse range of projects have already been supported through the pilot version of the fund. Florist Lydia Bustin will hold an exhibition at St Mary's Church in Attleborough later this month with five large-scale floral installations each depicting a significant era in the town's history.

Lydia, 29, commented: "Having been awarded with the Love Your Market Town grant last year, I have been able to organise an exhibition to showcase my work as well as showcase our town and its rich history and community.

"With small businesses being the make-up of our local towns, it is extremely important that they are supported as much as they can be."

Cllr Fabian Eagle, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Norfolk County Council said: "I am really passionate about how fantastic our market towns are, and this time I'm delighted to be rolling out the scheme to the whole of Norfolk.

"The initiative is based on successful pilots we have run in Breckland and West Norfolk over the last two years and is designed to develop new ideas that will give local residents a great reason to visit their town centres."

Councillor Paul Claussen, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth, added: "Our market towns are the beating heart of our local economy, rich in character and full of potential. We've already seen how small, creative projects can make a big impact on footfall, community pride, and business confidence. I'm proud that Breckland helped pilot this scheme, and I'd encourage anyone with a great idea to come forward and apply. This fund is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what makes our towns special and attract more people to experience all they have to offer."

Once ideas have been submitted, they will be reviewed by an independent panel and applicants notified of the outcome by Tuesday 30 September.

Applications are welcome from any local groups or business, but any activity must be a brand-new idea and should support multiple areas or services within a Norfolk market town. There is no limit to the kind of activities that can be funded but the idea must have a link to creating interest or increasing footfall in town centres.

For more information, and to express interest in bidding for a grant, please visit https://www.breckland.gov.uk/business-growth/LoveYourMarketTown.