The rural economy is vital to Norfolk. Our market towns are pivotal centres in the rural landscape of business, employment, culture, retail and public services. Supporting the rural economy by helping our market towns and high streets to grow is a key priority within the Norfolk Local Growth Plan.
In 2024, Norfolk County Council piloted a number of support packages for market towns, including the well-received Market Towns Conference and the Love Your Market Town programme in Breckland and West Norfolk. In 2025, we have ambition to go further, with a bespoke offer for businesses through the Norfolk’s High Streets Matter project. It runs from April 2025 to April 2026, which will include a business development programme, Love Your Market Town conference and funding opportunities.
Read our Norfolk’s High Streets Matter 2025 leaflet for a quick overview or discover more below.
Join us for the Norfolk High Street Matter’s Retail Excellence Programme in July and August and gain fully funded expert advice to develop your business. For the summer programme (2025), we welcome applications from Diss, Fakenham, North Walsham, Swaffham and surrounding areas.
The winter programme launches in September/ October for retail businesses in Aylsham, Attleborough, Gorleston-at-Sea and Hunstanton. It is fully funded (so free to take part). Find out more about what we have in store for you and click the ‘Retail Excellence Programme’ below.
Make 2025 matter and a successful year!
BBC Norfolk Radio – Interviews with Cllr Fabian Eagle (starts at 1:19) and Lucy Peacock, Mabel Bakery (at 2:18) talk about the new initiative at the launch, May 2025 – Listen here
Read the news article here >>> Support for businesses in Norfolk’s declining high streets