Market Towns Initiative: Second round of grants available

Date published: 21st December 2018

Photo shows North Walsham town centre

The second round of funding is now available in an initiative to help improve market towns in North Norfolk.

Four towns – Holt, North Walsham, Fakenham and Stalham – have already received a total of more than £270,000 from the Market Towns Initiative for community projects designed to improve their economic vitality

Each town was able to bid for £100,000 to spend on projects enabling them to take part in the development of their economic future. The money comes from a total pot of £400,000.

The second round of applications is now open to access the remaining money with the closing date of February 12^th. Community groups will again be able to work with the council to put in the bids.

Each town will be able to apply for the money remaining from the £100,000 allocated in each of the areas. This is:

• Holt £49,276
• North Walsham £425
• Fakenham £39,583.33
• Stalham £38,195.95

Cllr Sarah Butikofer, Leader of North Norfolk District Council, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Chairman of the MTI working group, said: “We’re hoping to see another diverse range of projects from our market towns after their successful first bids.

“This project will improve the economic viability of the towns by allowing them to identify their own priorities.

“We hear in the media about the impact on the high street of online shopping and we need to do all we can to support those local businesses.”

Cllr John Lee, Leader of the Conservative Group at North Norfolk District Council, said: “I am delighted this second round of the Market Towns Initiative has opened. We need to provide as much support as possible to our town centres.”

Cllr John Rest, Leader of the Independent Group at North Norfolk District Council, said: “I think this is a great opportunity for those organisations that didn't apply for the last application to grab the opportunity to access some funds towards their projects.”