Diss and its Mere being spruced up for summer visitors to the town

Work to upgrade facilities around the Mere in Diss has begun.

According to a statement from Diss Town Council this week, the mouth of the Mere will undergo a transformation, with the toilet facilities, sleepers and pathways all scheduled for improvements over the course of the summer.

An area around the toilets will be fenced off from Monday for a period of closure scheduled to last for 10 weeks.

This is in order to “bring the toilets back up to the required standards following a detailed procurement process carried out by South Norfolk Council”.

Sarah Richards, town clerk, said: “These improvements will make a big difference to the Mere’s mouth.

“We’re working together with South Norfolk Council so that the whole area, once completed, will be of a high standard and for continued use by residents and visitors to Diss. This will be the gateway to further planned improvements to the park.”

Pathways are also due to be resurfaced and repairs will be carried out to existing sleepers around the site, with access to shops, businesses, the park and other amenities around the Mere remaining unchanged.

In addition to works at the Mere, around 70 planters are now dotted around Diss, many of which are filled with flowers and trees donated by The Chelsea Flower Show.

With the free additions, Diss Town Council is seeking extra volunteers to take care of the plants, which will add to the floral feeling in the town.

Extra planters have already been secured to accommodate the new flowers – paid for by the Government as part of a package to support businesses and towns impacted by the enforced lockdown.

It is hoped that improving the look and feel of the town’s main shopping areas will bring benefits for traders and shoppers alike.

Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact the town council on 01379 643848.