A town’s vital information centre is celebrating its “survival” since it was introduced ten years ago, and has launched a new and improved website.
The Leaping Hare information hub in Thetford has been serving the community and visitors to the town for the past decade.
As a Community Interest Company, the hub has previously relied on funding, sales from its box office and from its shop, located in the town centre, to remain in business, which director Corinne Fulford said has always been a struggle.
But Ms Fulford said she is hopeful that the launch of their new website and directory will help to ensure its future.
She said: “We are celebrating our survival. Every year has been a struggle we have always had to find the money to keep the service going.
“But for a decade, the shop has been an essential hub where residents and visitors can find out about what’s going on in the town.
“Leaping Hare has adapted and grown as the town has evolved – and of course this year they have had to work harder than ever.
“What we are hoping is, to build on the success of our original website and directory which will give businesses the opportunity to make sure they are showcasing what they are doing.
“Every penny that goes into our new site goes straight into keeping the shop open.
“We want to become sustainable so we won’t have to search around for funding and we can focus on what we are good at, which is the promotion of our wonderful town.”
The revitalised website now offers an easy-to-navigate set of directories, which will give businesses in the town a chance to showcase what they do, as well as offering local information, opportunities for young people, walking and cycling routes and an insight into Thetford’s rich history.
But this comes after Ms Fulford was forced to make the difficult decision to make her long-standing staff member, Jake Shannon, redundant, after struggling financially amid the pandemic.
She said: “We had to make the awful decision to lose Jake after six and a half years. I was gutted.
“So now I am in the shop full-time. But we have got to be positive and although we have had some dark days, we need to make sure that we are here and that we can survive, if not, who else will tell Thetford’s story?”
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