Diss high-street has a new kind of shop housing not one - but four different shops
A new shopping concept has been launched in Diss to help traders establish themselves in the town – and fill up vacant units.
Four traders are now located under one roof at 35E Mere Street, the former site of Contract Personnel, which closed earlier this year.
The venture is the brainchild of Diss Community Team to help more independent traders set up shop without incurring high costs and long-term leases.
The community team has taken out a temporary lease on the building, with the four businesses all sharing the cost.
Housed at 35E Mere Street is Octagon Contemporary Crafts, Marimba Chocolatiers and Shabby Shack Trading, which sells indoor plants. There is also a selection of vinyl records from Wildflower Records.
With the right support, the hope is that the venture might become a permanent feature – and could also be the start of other similar arrangements in the town, helping to fill up vacant units.
Alan Franks, chairman of Diss Community Team, said: “Octagon Contemporary Crafts started trading initially earlier this year from the former tourist information centre in the centre of town, after we took it over.
“In only a few months, it became a sustainable business and a much-loved asset of the high street.
“It became a favourite among shoppers and tourists for its wide range of local art and crafts, as well as a selection of delicious handmade chocolates.
“However, South Norfolk Council needed to take back the Octagon in order to establish the new help hub, as it is vacating its offices in Long Stratton and moving together with Broadland Council to new offices in Norwich.
“Having to move was a big disappointment, however, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and, due to the kindness and generosity of the Rackham family, our new landlords at 35E, the venture has been able to continue trading on a pop-up basis, while the landlord looks for a long-term tenant.
“It is in a prime spot, as it is opposite Aldi and, by expanding the range of businesses in the new premises, we hope that they may be able to become that long-term tenant and we urge the local community to support them by shopping there and making it a success.”
South Norfolk Council’s new help hub will enable the community to access its services without the need to travel to a new joint headquarters more than 20 miles away.
Mr Franks added: ‘South Norfolk Council allowed us to use the old tourist information centre to see if, with our initial financial support, new businesses could be established in the town.
“So we are continuing that initiative at 35E and it’s going down well with shoppers.”
Annette Rolston, who runs Octagon Contemporary Crafts, said: “Its a delight to move to a bigger premises on the high street and to be sharing with others.
“There is a cafe inside and we serve fresh coffee and hot chocolate melts. We also play music and everyone comments that we have created a lovely atmosphere.”
