The closure of Woolworths just after Christmas and the subsequent closure this month of the Crown Hotel has left a gaping hole in the central market square business area.

At the town council meeting last week it was revealed that several parties had already made inquiries about the Crown and that a number of companies were keen to rent the Woolworths building as a cheap shop business.

Ann Chappel had been in discussion with London-based Wildmoor Properties which owns both sites as well as the Millers Walk shopping mall.

"Things obviously don't happen overnight," she told her fellow councillors, "but there has certainly been some progress behind the scenes if what I've heard is true.

"As far as the old Woolworths is concerned, Wildmoor is looking for a commitment from suitable national retailers.

"There are two empty shops in Millers Walk and one has been let for use by the British Heart Foundation."

Mrs Chappel added that Wildmoor had done its own survey of shops in Fakenham last summer and concluded that the town was quite well supplied with the exception of a flower shop and a book shop.

"What the town is suffering from is the vast number of fast-food outlets everywhere and the associated rubbish they generate," she said.

The council also discussed ways in which empty shop windows might be brightened up. Janet Holdom suggested displaying artwork produced by schools in the town.

There might also be a wider invitation to the general public to become involved with art and craft displays.