Art trail aims to drive visitors to town centre

An art trail with maritime theme has been set up in a bid to drive more people to a historic part of a coastal town.

The historic Lowestoft High Street has seen a huge decrease in footfall since the Town Hall, where Waveney District Council was based before its move to the new Riverside building on the edge of town, was fully closed last year.

As a result, Lowestoft Arts Centre has created an exhibition which retailers in the area have been able to take part in, with a view to driving more people to the area.

Fifteen works on a waterways theme have been spread across shop windows in the High Street for the annual event.

And this year the shops have got fully into the spirit of the event by competing for the best maritime window display.

The displays will remain until August 30, while a maritime-themed event including stalls took place in the Triangle Market Place – where the arts centre is based – on Saturday.

The Lowestoft Longshoremen also performed sea shanty songs during the event.

Carolyn Reeder, chairman of Lowestoft Arts Centre, said: 'The maritime theme has caught the imagination of the traders and they have supported what we're doing by adding their own window displays.'

Mrs Reeder added that as well as giving artists a chance to showcase their work, it also encourages people to walk up and down the High Street.

'We've noticed in the past year that since the Town Hall completely closed, the footfall has decreased a lot. Historically it is a very important old part of the town and this will hopefully help to bring back some of the footfall to the north end of town.'

Have you got an arts story? Email emma.knights@archant.co.uk