Somewhere beautiful, accessible and affordable to build an exciting business career, with affordable homes suitable to start a family? Then it’s Watton in Wayland, Norfolk.

It was great to join Wayland Chamber of Commerce, Business leaders, retailers, local and district councillors and senior executives of Norfolk research and innovation institutes at Broom Hall Hotel this past Friday to launch the new vision for business in Wayland. The Chamber was established in 1957, and is a membership organisation which exists to support business growth and development within Wayland, Watton and the surrounding 15 villages.

The Chamber’s strategy aims to promote business growth in Wayland’s seven industrial and business parks, to rejuvenate Watton High Street, to generate new start-up companies with a programme for young entrepreneurs and the creation of an iconic digital and creative media centre in Watton.

To drive forward the ‘Rural Renaissance’ that I have been championing since becoming an MP, local business must have a strong voice and work together in partnership to bring about the economic development and prosperity that will benefit all. That’s why I am delighted to give my wholehearted support to the Chamber’s ambitious programme for innovation and business growth in Wayland.

Community shops are a key service in our local villages, but in the age of internet shopping, many have faded away, forcing people to commute greater distances to purchase their much needed supplies.

That’s why I was delighted to visit the The Lodge Pub in North Tuddenham last week to see how they are working to combat this trend and support local residents.

Part of the ‘Pub is the Hub’ initiative, which aims to encourage local pubs to set up hubs that provide local communities with the services they most need - The Lodge has opened a community shop to support the village.

This has been greatly welcomed locally and has also been a boost to the pub itself.

This is a great initiative, and I hope to see many similar projects in the coming months and years.

To find out more about the visit, please see the video below:

Delighted to join the head of The Fred Nicholson School, Jane Hayman, and her team this past Friday. And speak to the school council on their plans this year.

To find out more about the visit, please see the short video below

After a busy week at Conservative Party Conference and in Westminster, it was great to be back in Mid Norfolk this past Friday, starting off a weekend packed with local visits and meetings with a visit to Scarning Primary School.

I was pleased to catch up with headteacher, Mr King, to discuss new early years provision block and announce their new school council members.