A business forum could be set up in a south Norfolk town as part of a wide-ranging action plan to encourage people to help shape their community's future.

Business owners and shopkeepers in and around Harleston are being urged to attend a meeting at the Swan Hotel on Monday, March 26, at 5.30pm to discuss working together for the good of the town.

It follows a lengthy consultation and the publication of a report – Have Your Say: Deeds From Words – which suggests that establishing a business group is 'the highest priority and a pivotal component in collectively and cohesively enhancing the future quality of the town'.

This is because many of issues raised, during the consultation, about shops, business, opening hours, jobs and careers 'can only readily be considered through the businesses themselves', says the report.

Clive Attwood, director of Attwood Acorn independent financial advisers on Church Street, has arranged the meeting.

He said: 'I want everyone involved: self-employed builders, shopkeepers, farmers, charity shops, the industrial estate – anyone who's involved in business in or around Harleston.

'There are things we can achieve together which we cannot so easily achieve individually.'

The meeting was announced on Wednesday at a presentation by Ian Carstairs, of the Harleston Actions Management Group, called 'Deeds from Words – what we can do together'.

His talk looked back at the Have Your Say campaign – a consultation process which began in 2009 – and at projects, including a community orchard, traffic survey and a wildlife scheme, which have been suggested based on the wishes expressed by residents. It also looked forward to ways in which people can get involved.

For further information about the business meeting, or if you would like to get involved in any of the other projects, call Mr Attwood on 01379 852789 or email attwoodacornltd@fsmail.net