A popular lunch club, aimed at promoting local business growth, is returning to Beccles.

Beccles lunch club was started by three enthusiastic business people and had its first get-together in March.

There has since been a second gathering and the third instalment will take place at the Waveney House Hotel in Beccles on Friday, September 8.

The project came into being after Lovewell Blake accountacy firm partners James Shipp and Ryan Lincoln got together with Dominic Parravani from Durrants auction rooms, with the common goal of getting local business people to meet regularly.

Having decided that a lunch club would be a wise course of action, the trio set about establishing the club's direction.

'Our aim is to bring business people together in a relaxed and informal environment,' said Mr Shipp, who also helped create Great Yarmouth lunch club in 2013.

'There's already a Lowestoft club but we really wanted something specifically for Beccles and Bungay.

'Anyone can come along for a two-course lunch and interact with other business people. It's good food and good company.'

One of the key aspects of the club is the participation of a guest speaker, the first of whom was Antiques Roadshow expert Robert Tilney, whose family have owned R Tilney and Son Gunsmiths in Beccles for generations.

Speaking at the second lunch was Chloe Donovan, whose family has run Beccles Farmers' Market for 17 years.

'Ideally we don't want our speakers to be too salesman-like,' added Mr Shipp.

'Instead we want to try and get people in who are relevant in the local community'

Looking ahead, Mr Shipp is positive about the lunch club's prospects and is hopeful that it will be long-lasting.

'I'd like to think it's going to continue for many years to come,' he said.

'We're really keen to make a go of it and hold lunches every other month.'

If you are interested in speaking at one of the lunches or would like to attend the September 8 event, please email j.shipp@lovewell-blake.co.uk.

Arrival at Waveney House begins at noon, with lunch served at 12.30pm and a guest speaker at 1.30pm.

Click here to visit the club's Facebook page.