Do you have an idea to draw more people into your town centre?

Prizes of up to £1,000 are on to anyone who offers the best proposals.

Breckland Council has joined forces with Norfolk County Council to launch a £5,000 Love Your Market Town scheme in an effort to boost footfall and activity in centres such as Dereham.

Dereham Times: Dereham's high streetDereham's high street (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Fabian Eagle, the county's cabinet member for economic growth, said they were looking to adopt one project for each of Breckland's main population centres.

Mr Eagle said: “I am passionate about how great our market towns are, and how important they are to our local economy.

“We’re expecting to give £1,000 in grants to projects in each of the five market towns in Breckland.

"If your business or community group based in Attleborough, Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford or Watton has got a good idea, we want to hear from you.”

Dereham Times: Breckland Council launched a £5,000 Love Your Market Town pilot fund on August 1, offering grants of up to £1,000 to Breckland-based organisations and groups who implement new initiatives to generate footfall and increase activity in their town.Breckland Council launched a £5,000 Love Your Market Town pilot fund on August 1, offering grants of up to £1,000 to Breckland-based organisations and groups who implement new initiatives to generate footfall and increase activity in their town. (Image: Archant)

The scheme will involve a series of 'Dragons' Den' style competitions in autumn where individuals and groups with ideas can present them to a panel.

READ MORE - Norfolk County Council no plans for 20-minute neighbourhood

 

Dereham Times: Fabian Eagle, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for economic growthFabian Eagle, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for economic growth (Image: Swaffham Town Council)

Councillor Paul Claussen, Breckland’s executive member for economic development and growth, said: “I can’t wait to hear people’s ideas about how we can make our towns even better for our residents, attract more people to Breckland, boost our town centres and support the district to thrive.”

READ MORE - Breckland council to make leisure centres more energy efficient

Dereham Times: Paul Claussen, Breckland District Council’s executive member for economic development and growthPaul Claussen, Breckland District Council’s executive member for economic development and growth (Image: Breckland Council)

 Ideas have to be fresh and should support multiple areas or services within a given town.

There are no restrictions around the kinds of activities that can be funded, but the idea must have a link to creating interest or increasing footfall in town centres.

Expressions of interest should be made by September 22.