Superdrug's decision to close its Swaffham store in December has prompted concerned town councillors to propose a new group to champion the future of the town centre.
The health and beauty company's announcement followed decisions by HSBC and Stead and Simpson to leave Swaffham, and an application to change the Jeweller's Workshop unit on the Market Place from business to residential use.
David Wickerson said Swaffham residents expected the town council to do more than receive reports about the local economy, and should be helping to develop and protect it.
He proposed a small group formed of two town councillors and members of the Swaffham Business Forum and the Advance Swaffham Action Group.
He said: 'The idea of getting together with these other two organisations is to share expertise and knowledge and collect and collate information, and by doing that if you have actually got a couple of town councillors on that group maybe that would give the group a bit more buying power.'
He said the group might help persuade landlords of empty shops to allow them be used.
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