About Dereham

Dereham has been through a massive expansion over the past 20 years which has seen it grow from a traditional Norfolk market town to the fifth largest town in the county.

About 20,000 people now live in Dereham and with the immediately surrounding villages added on the population is now around 35,000.

Many large housing areas - particularly in Toftwood, Scarning and the Sandy Lane area - have sprouted up and many people who work in Norwich have chosen Dereham to live in.

The main A47 road gives Dereham good links and that has encouraged many firms to have their base in the town. Dereham's traditional business base was built around manufacturing and agricultural sectors - but the changes in industry have seen a shift to many more smaller companies and a greater emphasis on retail and technology.

The town centre has been given a major facelift with an influx of new shops with the development of the old Gilbert Rice buildings and High Street car parks.

Services have struggled to keep up with the expansion in the town and many of the schools are full to capacity. A new library has been opened in the town centre and is prooving very popular.

> History of Dereham