Lowestoft is brimming with confidence, event organisers have claimed as they celebrate a major funding boost.
East Suffolk Council's cabinet agreed to allocate £200,000 towards the 2022 First Light Festival on South Beach following a meeting earlier this month.
In a joint statement on behalf of First Light CIC, organisers Genevieve Christie and Wayne Hemingway said: "The feel-good factor within Lowestoft that the inaugural First Light Festival created could almost be enough, but there is so much more.
"In addition to the not inconsiderable economic impact over that mid-summer, sunny weekend in June 2019, we are witnessing a significant number of creative-led start-ups, there is an artistic renaissance, and there are new progressive initiatives popping up all the time.
"Lowestoft is demonstrating significant self-confidence and this funding will allow First Light to build on this and deliver even more next year."
The funding includes £144,277 carried over from the amount allocated for the 2021 festival, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus restrictions and replaced with a small programme of activities.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here