Clackclose Hundred Community Benefit Society aims to ‘revitalise’ communities around Downham Market

A new organisation which aims to revitalise communities in South West Norfolk is set for a soft launch next month.

The Clackclose Hundred Community Benefit Society, a non-political, not-for-profit organisation, will open on April 8 and “exist to serve the interests of the whole community” based around Downham, which it says is one of the most deprived in the country.

A spokesman said the legal and administrative concept of ‘Hundreds’ dates back more than 1,000 years, as locally-governed administrative areas which oversaw the running of communities.

The organisation, which will operate as a community benefit society, has been certified by the Financial Conduct Authority and will work to serve the interest of the community, and ensuring it has a say in its own future.

The spokesman added: “The whole mechanism is based on an investment, rather than a charity.

“Anything that we acquire or do is actually asset locked to the community.”

If successful, the group believes this programme will be rolled out across the UK for rural and coastal economic regeneration.

“Clackclose Hundred Company will work hard to build and develop a fresh and innovative approach to attracting investment into the area, growing community and educational opportunities as it does so,” the spokesman said.

One of the group’s first concerns will be to “fix” aspirations and education in the area by working with schools, academy trusts and businesses.

The group believes there are “very little” aspirations for children in South West Norfolk, with residents eventually leaving the area and having a knock-on effect on investment.

“Via investment, we intend to provide resources to facilitate raising the aspirations and empowerment of the Clackclose community by providing local solutions to the issues they face across its 33 parishes,” the spokesman added.

The group will have a base on the first floor of the Priory Centre in Downham, above the library, with what will be called the ESTEAM Centre – based on the STEM disciplines, science, technology, engineering and maths – but also incorporating enterprise and arts.

The society has planned a series of free events starting from April 8, details of which will be published in due course, along with information on how to contact and register with the organisation.