King’s Lynn businesses and local people are being asked to have their say in consultation that will help to inform investment in the town.
The Vision King’s Lynn Business and Consumer Insight surveys aim to understand the current challenges and concerns for local businesses and the town centre, in light of the impact of Covid-19.
The feedback gained will inform the development of the Town Investment Plan, and more specifically, will help to identify short term investment priorities for the town centre.
The Town Investment Plan is currently being developed and will potentially allow King’s Lynn to access £25m of Town Deal funding that has been allocated by the Government.
The Plan will be the overarching vision and strategy for the town, specifically in relation to regeneration, land use, connectivity, skills, and enterprise.
The insight from both surveys will also be used to inform the wider recovery and renewal of the town in response to Covid-19.
The consultation is being carried out by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk in partnership with the town’s BID, Discover King’s Lynn
Councillor Graham Middleton, Cabinet Member for Business Development and Board Member with Discover King’s Lynn said: “We know that Covid-19 has brought significant pressures and challenges for our town, especially for local businesses which have had to adapt and respond, and in many cases, cease operations temporarily.
“We are committed to supporting the recovery and renewal of the town and through this consultation, we want to gain an understanding about how people feel – what the concerns are, what the challenges are – for both businesses and consumers.
“The feedback that people give us will help us to inform our Town Investment Plan, and more specifically, short-term interventions and investment that can support businesses and help people to have confidence in the town centre.
“We want to see our town centre thrive and not simply survive. We want it to be a place where businesses can succeed, and where people want to be.”
The Consumer Insight survey seeks to understand how people feel about coming back into the town centre, any concerns they might have, and thoughts around measures that could be taken to increase confidence. The survey also aims to gain knowledge about any changes to how people access shopping and services. You can complete the consumer insight survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MQM579Y
The Business Insight survey aims to find out the thoughts of King’s Lynn companies on the existing challenges and the impact that Covid-19 has had, and what support companies need right now. If you are a King’s Lynn business, you can complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/T7JB2TG
The consultation launched online on 5th June and will run until midnight on Sunday 14th June.
The consultation aligns with similar research taking place to support west Norfolk’s recovery from the impact of Covid-19. This includes a recent study of tourism businesses, and further consultation is planned for the wider west Norfolk business community, including in Downham Market and Hunstanton.
Graham Purkins, Chief Technology Officer with Merxin Ltd and Chair of the Town Board said: “The Town Investment Plan presents an exciting opportunity and could bring millions of pounds in funding for the area – funding which could be transformational for our town.
“But to shape this plan, we need feedback from both those who run local businesses and those who use the town centre. We need to understand the challenges and impact that Covid-19 has had so we can identify interventions that would aid the recovery and renewal of the town centre.
“These have been profoundly difficult months for everyone but the Town Board is committed to supporting and securing the sustainable future of our town through the Town Investment Plan.
“Please do have you say. Your views are vital in providing us with the insight we need to make a difference.”
Information about the consultation, including links to both surveys can be found on the newly launched Vision King’s Lynn website www.visionkingslynn.co.uk
Vision King’s Lynn is the collective name for the investment, funding, and plans for King’s Lynn and the site provides information about the Town Investment Plan as well as other investment and programmes including the Future High Streets Fund and High Street Heritage Action Zone.
You can also follow Vision King’s Lynn on Twitter @vision_lynn and Facebook: Vision King’s Lynn updates and ways to get involved.