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Norfolk’s economy is expected to see a boost over the next week as shoppers flock to the High Street to prepare for what has become one of the biggest nights of the year. Retailers predict a bump in their autumn profits, and Norfolk traders will be taking full advantage as October 31 falls in the half term holidays.

And with more and more events lined up around the region, experts are confident the combined boost of Halloween and school holidays will be frighteningly good.

Nova Fairbank of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “Halloween now has one of the largest retail spends after the Christmas period and many Norfolk retailers are capitalising on this. However as Halloween invariably falls within the half term holidays, it is quite hard to differentiate between increased retail spending as a result of half term and spending specific to Halloween.”

Richard Marks from John Lewis, Norwich is one of our Chamber members, Richard said “John Lewis is expecting a boost in sales for gift food and Halloween novelty items during the week.”

And another Chamber member, Vicky Merrison, Marketing Manager from Castle Mall Shopping Centre said “Footfall was up this time last year in the centre, helped by the Spooky City Parade, our own Halloween activities and the children’s half term. We would expect the footfall this year to be level with last year.”

More of Norfolk’s attractions are pulling out all the stops for Halloween, including the Horrible History Trail in Sheringham Park, who are putting on shows, talks and walks with a spooky theme. There will be more people taking on what’s on offer in the city and anything that contributes to the vitality and vibrancy of the city centre is always going to be a positive thing.

• Unlocking £4.5 billion economic potential – Great Eastern Rail Report goes to Government

After months of campaigning, involving support from Norfolk Chamber members, thousands of rail passengers, businesses, local authorities, MPs and education leaders across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, the Great Eastern Main Line Report has been submitted to Government.

Heralded as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ the report calls on the Chancellor to invest millions of pounds and bring a ‘massive vote of confidence to the region’. It details the key improvements needed to bring better, faster trains and deliver a journey time of ‘Norwich in 90 minutes’. And a robust economic case explaining why the improvements are vital to the region.

It also includes a letter signed by more than 100 of the most senior business and education leaders in the region, representing over 111,000 employees and students. Over 1,600 rail passengers have also joined the online campaign.

The key highlights of the report include:

• A call for £476million investment to improve infrastructure
• Which will deliver up to £4.5bn wider economic benefits
• Unlocking an additional £1.3bn in capital investment along the route.
• With journey time savings of £9m per year

It also asks Government for new rolling stock to be included in the new rail franchise tender to be announced in 2015.

The report identifies the Great Eastern Main Line as the ‘golden thread running through our economy’. It states: “Modern economies need high-quality rail infrastructure to support and sustain growth and to help businesses compete and win in global markets. The Great Eastern Main Line is no exception. We need the rail service to serve our ambitions not to stifle them.”

In a letter to the Chancellor accompanying the report, Mark Pendlington, chair of New Anglia LEP and Chloe Smith MP, both joint chairs of the Great Eastern Main Line Rail Taskforce make a plea on behalf of East Anglia:

“Your decision for this Autumn Statement is simple: We ask you to confirm the infrastructure improvements needed to unlock the economic potential of the region through faster more reliable services; and provide for new rolling stock on the Great Eastern Main Line for better journeys.”

“Over the next decade our region will experience considerable housing, employment and economic growth leading to some of the fastest rates of passenger growth in the country. Our economy, built on the success of innovative and dynamic businesses is also growing and carries even more potential.”

“We could be the California of Europe, yet we have some of the oldest trains in Britain. Our rail service is over-crowded, the infrastructure not resilient to failures. It is as quick to go 225 miles over land and sea from London to Brussels as it is on the train to Norwich, over half the distance. We can’t go on like this.”

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “Norfolk Chamber, together with Suffolk and Essex Chambers of Commerce are fully in support of the Great Eastern Rail Campaign. Improvements to rail infrastructure in Norfolk has lagged behind the rest of the UK for many years and action is needed to change this position. To ensure Norfolk businesses remain competitive and create jobs, we need a faster more reliable rail service between Norwich and London. This will help enable the Norfolk business community to deliver economic growth and jobs into our region.”

Notice is hereby given that the 118th Annual General Meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce & Industry will be held at the Dunston Hall Hotel, Ipswich Road, Norwich on Friday 28 November 2014. Registration will be at 10:00am, for meeting commencement at 10:15am.

Please see attached for all papers relevant to the meeting.