Jigsaw competition a boost for Watton

SHOP owners in Watton say a new competition designed to get people exploring their High Street is having a real impact on trade.

SHOP owners in Watton say a new competition designed to get people exploring their High Street is having a real impact on trade.

The Wayland Jigsaw Competition, which was launched in May by Breckland Council, encourages people to shop locally by offering them the chance to win prizes if they pick up jigsaw pieces from all of the participating retailers.

In some cases people who had never set foot in some of the High Street shops before the competition started are now repeat customers after having discovered the shops while on the jigsaw trail.

John Ball, who owns JC Books, said: 'I have been in the town for years and have never seen so many new faces in the shop since the competition launch.

'People have commented to me that they had no idea the shop existed and that they would be back to use our services.'

Jigsaw competition prizes include a 40' Sony Plasma TV, food hampers, gift vouchers and more and with the deadline for the competition having been extended to September 3 there is still time to enter.

Adrian Stasiak, executive member for communities at Breckland Council, said: 'I am thrilled this competition is having such a positive impact on the town's traders.

'Shopping locally is one of the key ways in which we can all help keep our market towns alive and thriving and this just goes to show that sometimes it pays to shout about what's right on your doorstep just to make sure everyone knows its there.'

The winner of the competition will be announced during the Wayland Celebration of Culture on September 4.