Norfolk’s High Streets Matter

Building Vibrant High Streets Together

In 2026, Norfolk’s High Streets Matter continues its work strengthening local economies by supporting the shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs, hotels and market‑town businesses that give our high streets their character.

Retail and hospitality are vital to Norfolk’s prosperity and sustaining thousands of jobs. This year’s programme helps businesses stay resilient, competitive and future‑focused.

What the extended programme delivers:

• Support for 200 businesses across retail and hospitality
• Training, grants and one‑to‑one advice
• Practical improvements that boost footfall, customer satisfaction and business confidence
• Stronger, more distinctive town centres shaped by independent local businesses.

You can take part this year!

All Norfolk small businesses are welcome. Note that priority will be given to the following focus towns:

• May-June programme 2026 – Cromer, Thetford, Harleston and Downham Market
• September-October programme 2026 – Wymondham, Holt, Watton and Wells-next-to-the-sea.

If you are looking to grow your retail or hospitality business or want to attract more visitors to your high street, we can support you through the next Retail Excellence or Hospitality Matters Programmes. Read more about each in our leaflet.

Retail Excellence & Hospitality Matters Programme Leaflet

Email nhsm@norfolk.gov.uk to find out more and register your interest below. Tick ‘Retail Excellence‘ under ‘Reason for Enquiry‘ (‘Hospitality Matters’ will be added soon. Please email the team if you are running a hospitality business).

Register Your Interest For 2026

VIDEOS – Enjoy watching shop owners and a market town team about their experiences and successes taking part in the Retail Excellence Programme and Love Your Market Town funding.

Stories by retailers, high streets groups, High Streets Matter Team and council representatives – spotlight on North Norfolk businesses (also supported with funding support from North Norfolk District Council).

Other support

Throughout the year, you can also attend other specialist workshops for Norfolk businesses, and discover our Retail Toolkit which is full of top tips to keep your shop vibrant. For funding opportunities and follow-on business support, contact the Growth Hub team here.

To keep in touch with High Streets Matter news, events and funding, sign up to the newsletter (choose Norfolk as area).

2025 Highlights – A Year of Growth and Collaboration

Through Norfolk’s High Streets Matter initiative, businesses and groups have had coaching, new retail knowledge, industry experts’ insights, grants and a massive dose of encouragement and enthusiasm from the team.

More than 100 retailers and high street stakeholders took part in the Retail Excellence Programme which included strategic planning, financial literacy, marketing and community impact. Everyone has seen improvements in their business and those who made major progress with their action plans are seeing increases in sales and customer engagement.

The programme received 5-star ratings from participants on Google Reviews.

‘I found this programme very beneficial in many ways, taking the time out of my day-to-day to open my mind to where we could improve our business, what things aren’t working in our business and how we can invest in new ways to make our business grow.
‘I’ve been introduced to many great businesses that could help us in areas we struggle in and also hearing other small businesses’ struggles similar to ours and how they have/ plan to overcome this. From this course, we have decided what we need to do next to invest in our business to help it grow and achieve more sales.’

Fay Bunn, Noor Company5 stars (Retail Excellence Programme)

‘Completed Love Your High Street training which has been extremely valuable, thank you for such a comprehensive course.’

Little Movers5 stars (Retail Excellence Programme)

‘We attended the Retail Excellence Programme and it has been the most valuable and insightful course I’ve ever done. Alex and all of the speakers were incredibly knowledgeable, and generous with their time and advice. We’ve already received more online shop sales since we’ve started to implement what we’ve learnt. We massively recommend it to all businesses in Norfolk!’

The Wayward Adventurers Guild5 stars (Retail Excellence Programme)