Business leaders claim that King's Lynn is bucking the national trend by seeing increased footfall in its shopping areas.

It comes as North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham officially opened the contemporary fashion brand Superdry concession, within independent fashion retailer Ikon in New Conduit Street in the Vancouver Quarter.

The national retailer, which was set up on a Cheltenham market stall in 1985, has a 600 sq ft concession inside Ikon.

Mr Bellingham said: 'To make our high streets successful we need niche retailers such as Ikon, which is a really good example of what can be achieved through innovation, originality and forming partnerships with leading brands.'

Lifestyle brand Joules launched a 500 sq ft concession in Ikon in August last year, and Andy Wilson, who opened the store in 2002 with wife Sarah, said: 'October sees our 14th year of trading in Lynn and we have further plans including a Jack and Jones shop in store in the summer.'

Abbie Panks, Vancouver Quarter centre manager, said Mr Wilson and his team deserved credit for attracting such strong bands to the town.

She said: 'In the last 14 months we have seen increased football every month, except for one - November, which is not surprising as it's just before the Christmas surge. It's fantastic news for the town and the figures are not reflected across the rest of the country.

'One thing that helps in King's Lynn is that the town puts on a lot of events, which bring more people into the area. They have a good experience here and keep coming back.

'While it's unfortunate that Beales department store in the Vancouver Quarter is shutting - there is no closure date yet - two new businesses are coming next month, with more details to follow.'

Are you bringing a new business to west Norfolk? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk