Lowestoft Vision kicks off new five-year term by going ‘continental’

The Lowestoft Vision team is celebrating the confirmation that they have secured another five-year term in which to deliver great initiatives aimed at boosting Lowestoft’s retail experience by hosting a Continental Fayre from 2 to 5 August.

Lowestoft Vision, which is managed by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, renewed its mandate after a ballot of all the levy paying businesses in the town centre on 25 May.  77% of voting businesses backed a ‘yes’ outcome and nearly 90% by rateable value. This highly successful outcome was confirmed on 25 June after the statutory one month ‘challenge period’.

At the same time, Danny Steel, the chair of Lowestoft Vision during its first five years, has stood down from that role, although he remains on the organisation’s board. He is replaced by Dan Poitras, manager of the Britten Centre.

Dan Poitras said “Danny Steel embodies what Lowestoft Vision is all about: positive, hard-working and passionate about making our town centre more attractive, appealing, influential and secure. On behalf of everyone associated with our BID, I would like to thank Danny for his leadership and support and I’m delighted that he will still be working with us in the future.”

Additionally, Amanda Ankin, Suffolk Chamber’s operations director replaces John Dugmore, the Chamber’s chief executive on the board.

With the ballot successfully out of the way, Lowestoft Vision is starting preparations for its next great initiative aimed at attracting more shoppers and visitors into the town centre.

The Continental Fayre (2 to 5 August) is the first of its kind in Lowestoft and will feature a range of attractions including musicians and street performers, and many businesses throughout the town centre will be taking part by theming their businesses to a country.

According to Ann-Marie Doggett, events and promotions coordinator of Lowestoft Vision “we’re now pulling together all the elements that will help make these four days really fun for residents and visitors alike and increase footfall and sales for all the businesses in the town centre. Watch this space for more information!”