Sad news – it looks like another shop shutting down in Fakenham – Loulou’s Toyshop is having a closing down sale. The premises are in a good spot, so hopefully another business can take advantage of that. Best of luck to the current owners in whatever they do next!

So it looks like Wetherspoon wasn’t looking at the old Godfrey DIY premises after all. If you peer into the windows, you’ll see loads of bathroom fittings. This is probably a good clue. Unless ‘Spoons are now serving pints in bidets, a new bathroom shop is opening there.

The ex-Evolve shop in Norwich Street is also opening again. The decorators have been busy during the past few days and it’s about to evolve itself into a new retailer. Things are looking positive again. Watch this space.

This is a really handy bit of software. I found Dropbox when I was looking for an easy way to share files with my work colleagues at House Advertiser. I needed a solution which was easy to use, as like most companies, our directors have varying levels of PC expertise. Dropbox fits the bill admirably.

The idea is that you get some storage space on an internet server (it’s run by Amazon) where you can store your files and some software to install which creates a special folder on your computer. Any files dropped into this folder get automatically uploaded to your internet storage space. It’s a really simple backup solution for important files – however, it’s even more useful than this when you use more than one computer….

Installing the software on a second internet-connected machine allows you to have the SAME Dropbox on them both. Files dropped into one box magically appear in the other. I find it’s a great way to have my work files available on my home computer – especially as I made my ‘My Documents’ folder be my Dropbox. Now, whenever I create and save, or edit a document at work, I know that the same file is also saved to my home PC (and also backed up on the internet).

There are other ways Dropbox can work – by having individual accounts on each computer and sharing designated folders within  one of the Dropboxes for example (that’s what we do for House Advertiser). Its quite versatile. The best thing is that you can use the system free, paying for extra storage space only when you need it.

At H-A, we all mainly use PCs, but the system works with Linux and Mac too so I may install it on my Linux box at work when I have some time to play.

Niftiest bit of software I’ve found in ages!

With all the effort going on to boost the town’s image, it’s a crying shame that The Crown Hotel in the Market Square remains closed. It’s currently owned by London property developers Wildmoor who, I believe, purchased the building from the previous owners – who then leased it back from the company and remained as managers. After a short while, the managers opted out of the lease and the pub has been closed since March 2009.

I know somebody (a client) who has just looked round the property with a view to taking the lease on. We’d been talking about the town in general some time before Christmas and the subject had got on to pubs (how strange, I hear you say!). I mentioned the fact that Kick Start Fakenham was originally interested in the re-opening of The Star. We came to the conclusion that The Crown was in a great location and could be run as a going concern given the right circumstances - and would considerably enhance the town centre if it was open again.

My client’s viewing of the property had made it obvious that lots of work needed doing to get the place running. The bar area had been previously renovated, taking away much of of the character of this 18th century building (including the original fireplace). The kitchens needed replacing. The rooms upstairs needed work. Sounds like £££s of investment are required to get things up to scratch.

I wonder if Wildmoor have the foresight to see that The Crown isn’t actually a great investment as things stand. The lease, as advertised here at £60,000 a year seems more than a tad overpriced if the intention was to get a tenant in quickly. No wonder it’s still unoccupied. Maybe it would be a better investment if the owners were willing to sell the building on again.

Any local entrepreneurs looking for a project? Drop me a line and I’ll put you in touch with my client – who might be interested in joint ownership rather than leasing it (if the owners are willing to sell, that is)!

I’ve noticed lots of people complaining about the lack of grit on the town’s roads and pavements during this recent cold snap. Well blow me down, when I got to work this morning there was a guy in a hi-viz jacket hand-gritting both sides of the pavement along Norwich Street. The road had been done too – and I think a fair bit of the town had been covered, judging by my walk home this evening.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the recent Town Council meeting, where the state of Fakenham’s car parks before Christmas was ‘discussed’. Town Councillor Ann Chappel criticised the NNDC, saying that it had “failed to meet its responsibilities to shoppers and businesses”. I must say, having seen what Queens Road car park was like on the week before Christmas (we skated round for a bit then decided not to park there at all) I tend to agree.

Do you know somebody into birdwatching? North Norfolk’s a bit of a paradise when it comes to ‘twitching’ and a brilliant shop where you can buy all the gear is out at Titchwell, on the coast.

In Focus are one of my oldest website clients and the guys there are seriously into birding – what they don’t know about binoculars and scopes could be written on a grain of birdseed, so they’re the ideal people to ask for advice when buying a birding prezzie for somebody.

Optical equipment can be an expensive investment, but In Focus allow you to try things out first and their shop has great views over the surrounding RSPB reserve – ideal for comparing the kit in field conditions. Need some help? See Vernon or Richard at Titchwell – they’ll look after you!

It was looking pretty busy in the town centre this morning, with more visitors being planned for later. The Farmers’ Market seemed like it was thriving, with lots of people buying stuff. The Craft Fair in the parish church was in full swing too – lots of stalls and a good stream of customers as well.

Later this afternoon, the market place will host more stalls, rides and performers in the lead-up to the Christmas lights switch-on at 5pm. I’m informed Santa’s grotto will be there as well. It’s all go, isn’t it?

Edit: This post took all of three minutes to appear in a Google search!!!

I spotted a new shop today – in Bridge Street where the Computer Shop used to be (next door to Blockbuster). It’s called ‘Fakenham Florist’ – and very nice it looks too.

Are things taking another turn for the better in our favourite Norfolk market town? Well, good luck to the owners!

Having watched BBC’s iPlayer coverage of yesterday’s Lord Mayor’s Show in London, I thought it might be fun to post some video captures of PMC’s pea harvester in the procession – just to prove they were there! I’m sure lots of Fakenham people who work there (and previously at FMC) would be interested.

Local pea and bean harvester manufacturers PMC have been chosen to represent the UK farming industry at London’s Lord mayor’s Show tomorrow. The Fakenham company will be proudly displaying one of their £350,000 pea harvesters in the parade, promoting the ‘Yes Peas’ campaign on behalf of The Worshipful Company of Farmers. Well done to PMC in Holt Road, putting Fakenham firmly on the UK agricultural map!

Did you know that 20% of pea production in the UK comes from Norfolk? Also, did you realise that although the pea season only lasts around 7 weeks, one of PMC’s harvesters could fill 3,000,000 packs of peas in that time? Oh… and PMC’s Engineering Manager goes by the name of Robert Plant – if that doesn’t rock, what does?