Call for creative events and activities to celebrate Norfolk’s market towns
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Market towns across Norfolk have already reaped the benefits of Love Your Market Town grants and more are being encouraged to come forward with creative projects that will increase footfall and length of visits.
Love Your Market Town offers between £1,000 and £5,000 to town councils, local groups and businesses for events, town trails, themed festivals and other activities that are designed to inspire people to visit and shop in their local towns. The scheme is supported by Norfolk County Council, and the district councils and applicants have until 31 August to submit their initial ideas.
One of the successful projects launched with support from the scheme over the last year was a trail in Thetford celebrating its most famous son, Thomas Paine, the renowned philosopher and writer who helped usher in American independence.
Locals interested in the town’s history and overseas visitors have taken part in the treasure hunt which takes in 13 locations associated with him, such as Thetford Grammar School, and an exhibition at the Thomas Paine Hotel. At each location, a question is posed and all answers can be found in information plaques.
The trail was launched in December 2025 ahead of the 250th anniversary of the publication of Paine’s Common Sense, advocating that the 13 American colonies should become independent of Great Britain.
Gez Chetal, owner of the Thomas Paine Hotel in Thetford said: “The Love Your Market Town grant has made an immense impression on this town. It’s brought people out, the footfall has been great, and people have actually noticed our exhibition. The trail has emphasised the importance of getting people into the area – young, old, middle-aged – and people from around the world to come and visit our town.”
In Diss, shopfronts were refreshed, new sustainable planters installed and a heritage ‘Dinsdale’ trail created celebrating the town’s blue plaques and telling the stories of the buildings and people that shaped it. A Christmas lights switch-on and selfie boards drew crowds to the centre of North Walsham.
“The grant enabled us to add things that we didn’t have as a town before,” said Helen Richardson, owner of Dolly’s Home and Gifts in North Walsham. “We’ve had a Christmas lights committee for years and they’ve done great things, but we’ve not been able to have a sleigh for people to sit on and have photo opportunities.”
Cllr Kabeer Kher, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Agriculture at Norfolk County Council, welcomed the Love Your Market Town grants that are part of a package of support for businesses, as part of the successful High Streets Matter programme.
“Our market towns are at the heart of Norfolk’s communities, providing vital services, supporting local businesses and creating places where people want to live, work and visit,” he said.
“In these challenging economic times our high streets need as much help as possible, and whilst these grants won’t solve all of the issues they face, my hope is that they can help struggling businesses.
“This grant scheme is a fantastic opportunity to invest in their future, helping towns to attract more visitors, boost trade and strengthen local pride. By supporting projects that improve town centres and encourage economic growth, we can foster an environment where our market towns continue to thrive for generations to come.”
Find out more about how to apply for a Love Your Market Town grant here.
Lesley van Dijk