A Suffolk town has appointed an events manager to further develop its increasing popularity as a visitor attraction.
Framlingham Business Association has appointed Steve Calver to the role to “brighten the spotlight” on the town and reap the benefits of a full calendar of events.
It comes after the latest Great Framlingham Sausage Festival attracted around 10,000 visitors, despite moving to a Sunday, bringing a boost to many businesses around the town, which opened specially for the crowds.
Mr Calver will be working on a “packed” events programme for the coming year, including the eighth sausage festival, and a Heritage Open Day focussing on “Food, Fun and Heritage”, following a successful pilot event last year.
Preparations for a heritage cookery book are underway, with thoughts already looking ahead for the festivities for Christmas 2018.
Funding for the project has come from Suffolk County Council’s Locality Budget, Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Enabling Communities Fund and a grant from the East Suffolk Partnership.
The FBA says it has witnessed the “enormous benefits” events bring to the town and has added funding of its own to support the role, which has been generated from its programme of events.
FBA chairman Jenny Stockman said: “This funding has been a vital catalyst for a significant investment in affordable professional help with our events programme.
“Reliance on volunteers became untenable as the responsibilities and regulations relating to staging great events grew exponentially.
“To have someone keeping on top of it all and building on the town’s reputation is hugely exciting and opens up even more possibilities. We are extremely grateful to councillor Stephen Burroughes, councillor Christopher Hudson and the East Suffolk partnership board.”
Mrs Stockman said plans were already in place for a “very special” event this summer, as well as move live music. “The FBA is delighted to be approaching the coming year confident in professional delivery of a wide variety of events that include the community and the businesses,” she added.
Visit www.framlinghambusiness.co.uk to keep updated on Framlingham events.
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