A bid for £100,000 is being made to revamp Fakenham town centre and help local businesses in the 'fight back' against online shopping.

Eastern Daily Press: Benbows is one of the shops that has been selected for the 'Fakenham Facelift' pilot scheme. Picture: Supplied by Richard LynamBenbows is one of the shops that has been selected for the 'Fakenham Facelift' pilot scheme. Picture: Supplied by Richard Lynam (Image: Archant)

The Fakenham Facelift project will see Fakenham Town Council apply for funds from North Norfolk District Council's Market Towns Initiative to make the shops 'fresher, more colourful and more exciting.'

Should the application be successful, four shops in Norwich Street have been chosen to form the pilot scheme for the project which are greengrocer's Benbows, Tudor Tea Rooms, health food shop The Larder and craft store Martha and Me.

George Acheson, mayor of Fakenham, said: 'We feel it is the town council's duty to do everything we can to help our smaller retail businesses fight back against the might and soullessness of the Amazons of this world.

'Good small shops bring character, colour and great benefit to our town and you can help. We'd like to invite every local shopper to send us your experiences of shopping in the town; how you think this may be improved and how you would make shopping here better.'

Eastern Daily Press: Martha and Me is one of the shops that has been selected for the 'Fakenham Facelift' pilot scheme. Picture: Supplied by Richard LynamMartha and Me is one of the shops that has been selected for the 'Fakenham Facelift' pilot scheme. Picture: Supplied by Richard Lynam (Image: Archant)

More shops are set to be added to the Fakenham Facelift project should the pilot scheme prove successful and provided the application for funding is accepted.

The town council has also highlighted the Fakenham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan describing the town as having 'poor modern shop fronts and signage' as a reason for the application.

The town council currently has consent from all the pilot scheme landlords and retailers, has consulted widely with shoppers and other retailers, interviewed designers, shop-fitters and painters and decorators, gained advice from NNDC planning, reviewed legal issues and is now in the process of putting together a final bid document.

An application for funding from North Norfolk District Council's Market Towns Initiative must be submitted by November 16.

Eastern Daily Press: The Larder is one of the shops that has been selected for the 'Fakenham Facelift' pilot scheme. Picture: Supplied by Richard LynamThe Larder is one of the shops that has been selected for the 'Fakenham Facelift' pilot scheme. Picture: Supplied by Richard Lynam (Image: Archant)

If you would like to have your say on the shopping experience in Fakenham and what could be done to improve it, email info@fakenhamtowncouncil.co.uk with your thoughts and suggestions.

Eastern Daily Press: Fakenham town mayor George Acheson. Picture: Ian BurtFakenham town mayor George Acheson. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant)