A BECCLES business owner is rallying support to help set up a new town website that would concentrate on attracting visitors to the town.Roland Blunk, of Swan House, believes that the existing website is more geared towards community news and does not fully communicate the wealth of attractions that Beccles has to offer.

A BECCLES business owner is rallying support to help set up a new town website that would concentrate on attracting visitors to the town.

Roland Blunk, of Swan House, believes that the existing website is more geared towards community news and does not fully communicate the wealth of attractions that Beccles has to offer.

He has enlisted the support of other business owners in the town to create a new site that he believes would attract more business to Beccles.

“The current official town site concentrates on being purely informational rather than inspirational or dare we suggest, aspirational,” said Mr Blunk.

He said it told people what is going on in the town, but felt it wasn't communicating enough with the wider world.

He added: “There's no need for me or anyone to be preaching to the people of Beccles over what a great town we have, but when it comes to letting the rest of the world know, are we doing enough? If we want Beccles to thrive, we need to support our retailers and businesses and get the message across that Beccles is the place we know it to be.”

Mr Blunk said that the new website would compliment the current site, www.beccles.info which is run by Beccles Town Council.

It would focus on giving an overview of the town and would be based around photos of the town rather than words.

He has the support of a number of Beccles business owners, including Rob Sutherland, owner of The Marmalade Tree, and Andrew Florides, who runs Andrew Florides photography.

Mr Florides, who would take photos of the town for the website, said: “It's something that's desperately needed. I'm right behind it. We need to glamorize Beccles and show off its' good assets because it's beautiful.”

Mr Blunk is also a graphic designer, and recently re-launched the Swan House website. The website includes a photo section on Beccles, which gives a taster of the ideas he has for the new proposed town website.

“It's very much work in progress, but shows how simple direct imagery can whet the appetite and get the message across,” he said. “A picture can be far more evocative than a load of words.”

Jula Janney, deputy clerk at the town council, said the council would consider supporting the website if Mr Blunk sent them a proposal.

If you are interested in supporting the proposed new website you can contact Mr Blunk on 01502 713474.