Re-branding boost for Waveney Valley

The Waveney Valley Identity Project aims to promote the Waveney Valley – encompassing Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Harleston, Diss, Eye and Loddon – as a destination to visit, whilst developing the Valley’s local businesses. The Rural Development Programme Local Action Group for the Waveney Valley is leading on the three-year scheme and has worked with local authorities in Waveney, South Norfolk and Mid Suffolk to develop a logo as a way of re-branding the area. The project will primarily help to develop links between all of the market towns included, to encourage tourists to extend their visits by touring each.

Chair of the Waveney Valley Local Area Group Pat Holtom officially launched the logo, along with a branding pack and brand guidelines for local businesses to take away with them. She said: “The Norfolk Broads, North Norfolk Coast and the Brecks are well known brands and we felt Waveney needed to be better promoted. The new logo represents various aspects of the Valley – the wildlife, the round churches and the river – and we hope it will be used widely as a stamp of identity by traders and tourist attractions.”

Waveney, South Norfolk and Mid Suffolk district councils have received £90,000 from the Rural Development Programme for the Waveney Valley to develop tourist signage and promotional material, assist new local businesses, and develop horse, bicycle and canoe trails. Over 100 attendees, including Councillors, Waveney officers, local dignitaries and businesses, gathered at the Black Swan in Homersfield to celebrate the launch yesterday, unveiling the new logo on the site of the first concrete bridge built in England, which crosses Waveney, forming the link between Norfolk and Suffolk.

Waveney District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism & Economic development Cllr Bruce Provan commented: “The partnership between the three local authorities and the Local Action Group has developed a project which will have a lasting impact on this beautiful area. The development of the Identity, along with the proposed tourist signs and promotional material will assist in enticing many more visitors to the Waveney Valley and support the development of rural businesses.”

For further information on the Waveney Valley or to receive a copy of the Waveney Valley Brand Guidelines please contact Waveney District Council’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Team on 01502 523331 or email sunrisecoasttourism@waveney.gov.uk