Fund for new ideas to inspire people to use their local town launches in West Norfolk

A £6,000 Love Your Town grant scheme is offering grants of up to £1,000 to organisations and groups who implement new initiatives to generate footfall and increase activity in the towns of Downham Market, Hunstanton and King's Lynn.

The scheme, which is funded by the UK Government and Norfolk County Council and supported by the Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, launched on Monday 30 October. It will fund projects that encourage Norfolk residents to use their local towns more frequently.

A series of 'Dragons Den' style competitions will be held in January 2024, where local groups or businesses can present ideas to a panel to ask for a share of the funding. Businesses and community groups have until Friday 8 December to submit their expressions of interest.

Cllr Fabian Eagle, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: "I am passionate about Norfolk's towns and how important they are to our local economy. Further to our pilot scheme in Breckland, we're extending this funding opportunity to local businesses and groups in the King's Lynn and West Norfolk area. If you're a business or group with new ideas that give residents a great reason to visit their town centres in Downham Market, Hunstanton on King's Lynn, we want to hear from you."

Cllr Alistair Beales, Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Business, commented: "By working closely with our county council partners we've been able to create an exciting new opportunity for local groups and businesses to put forward their creative ideas to enhance our towns. I'm looking forward to hearing people's ideas about how we can make our towns even better for our residents and visitors and help boost west Norfolk's economy."

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 Hunstanton, Downham Market or King's Lynn, and 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 www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/LoveYourTown.