Think Lowestoft

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A new Think Lowestoft website, dedicated to updating Lowestoft residents and businesses about the ambitious regeneration plans in the town has been created, to help the local community, businesses, investors and visitors find out more about the work already underway and the ambitious plans being developed to regenerate the town and boost growth.

In 2021, Lowestoft secured £24.9m through the Government’s Towns Fund, to invest in the regeneration of the town, driving economic growth and acting as a catalyst for future investment. The basis of this bid was the Town Investment Plan, developed in partnership with the Lowestoft Place Board, which sets out Lowestoft’s ambitions, opportunities and challenges over the next ten years. Think Lowestoft underpins all these elements, along with the existing work taking place in the town’s two Heritage Action Zones (North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone and London Road, Lowestoft High Street Heritage Action Zone) and the Enterprise Zones, which are strategically important employment sites that support our growing energy sector.

The creation of the Lowestoft Place Board created the opportunity to provide a strategic oversight of the whole of Lowestoft. The board has representation from key partners including public, private and the third sector. The Place Board’s governance structure provides opportunities for increased strategic influence. It also provides coordinating mechanisms for project delivery of regeneration projects across the town. The Place Board members have each played a critical role in the development of the Town Investment Plan and will continue that process through to the delivery stage.

Think Lowestoft was developed following a placemaking programme which looked at people’s perception of Lowestoft and the priorities of its businesses, stakeholders and the community, to tell the ‘story’ of Lowestoft by identifying its qualities. This involved understanding what makes Lowestoft special, competitive and different to other places. We then brought this together in a new Lowestoft Story that every organisation and individual across the area can share and be part of.

Local residents, business owners and voluntary organisations are encouraged to get involved in these exciting projects and can apply through the Think Lowestoft website to become a Lowestoft Ambassador. Ambassadors help to promote Lowestoft and cascade the Lowestoft story within their networks. The ambassador programme hosts events to update on projects within the local area so it is a great way to keep up to date with projects happening within Lowestoft.

The website also hosts the Lowestoft Virtual Creative Hub which provides creatives with a way to network, feel more connected and access information, training and funding opportunities. The hub is open to creatives based in Lowestoft or who deliver work in the town, and features a programme of training, tool kits, networking sessions and bespoke 1-2-1 support. A free creative directory allows organisations and creatives to promote their enterprises through Think Lowestoft.

We want Lowestoft to be a place where people can enjoy our arts and heritage offer, and have the opportunity to create and produce work in the town. Our 5 year vision for culture is laid out in our Lowestoft Cultural Strategy.

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